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Association between epigenetic age acceleration and psychiatric disorders: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization
1The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China. hongyanggang@wmu.edu.cn.
Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and psychiatric disorders have a bidirectional relationship. Some psychiatric conditions may accelerate biological aging, increasing disease risk, while others show protective effects against EAA.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
- Epigenetics
- Aging Research
Background:
- Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) is a biomarker for biological aging.
- The causal link between EAA and psychiatric disorders is not well understood.
- Genetic and environmental factors influence aging and psychiatric health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bidirectional causal relationships between multiple measures of EAA and ten psychiatric disorders.
- To clarify whether EAA influences psychiatric disorders or vice versa.
Main Methods:
- Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
- Utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from large European ancestry cohorts.
- Conducted sensitivity analyses to ensure the robustness of findings.
Main Results:
- PhenoAge acceleration (PhenoAA) increased attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) risk.
- Hannum age acceleration (HannumAA) showed a protective effect against obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was linked to decreased intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (IEAA), while major depressive disorder (MDD) increased both HannumAA and IEAA.
Conclusions:
- Psychiatric disorders and biological aging processes are bidirectionally linked.
- Early-life mental health conditions may accelerate epigenetic aging and elevate the risk of age-related diseases.
- Findings suggest psychiatric disorders as aging risk factors, highlighting the need for aging-targeted interventions in psychiatric populations.
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