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Association between depression and epigenetic age acceleration: A co-twin control study
Chang Liu1, Zeyuan Wang1, Qin Hui1
1Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Depression and Anxiety
|June 27, 2022
Summary
Depression is linked to faster biological aging, as measured by DNA methylation (DNAm) age acceleration. This study used a co-twin design to explore this association, finding a significant connection between higher depression scores and accelerated epigenetic aging.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Prior research on depression and epigenetic aging shows inconsistent results.
- DNA methylation (DNAm) age acceleration is a key biomarker for biological aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between depression and DNAm age acceleration.
- To control for genetic and familial environmental factors using a co-twin design.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry, including 291 twins at baseline and 177 at follow-up.
- Measurement of depression using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II).
- Computation of six DNAm age acceleration measures and assessment using mixed-effects modeling.
Main Results:
- At baseline, higher BDI-II scores correlated with accelerated Hannum's DNAm age and extrinsic epigenetic age.
- At follow-up, higher BDI-II scores correlated with accelerated PhenoAge.
Conclusions:
- Depression is associated with increased DNAm age acceleration.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the causal mechanisms linking depression and accelerated aging.
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