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Basic Science and Pathogenesis
Rory Boyle1, Hao Xu2, Katheryn A Q Cousins2
1Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|December 25, 2025
Summary
Black adults show accelerated epigenetic aging compared to White adults, linked to lower Aβ42/Aβ40 levels, suggesting a potential racial disparity in Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and aging research
- Neurodegenerative disease biomarkers
- Racial disparities in health
Background:
- Previous studies indicated accelerated epigenetic aging in Black individuals, associated with cognitive decline.
- The relationship between epigenetic aging disparities and Alzheimer's disease (AD) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate racial disparities in epigenetic aging between Black and White adults.
- To determine the association between accelerated epigenetic aging and AD plasma biomarkers in a diverse clinical cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 618 participants (aged 50+) from the Penn Medicine Biobank.
- Assessed epigenetic aging using DunedinPACE from DNA methylation data.
- Measured plasma biomarkers of AD, including p-tau217 and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios.
Main Results:
- Black adults exhibited significantly accelerated epigenetic aging (DunedinPACE) compared to White adults, independent of age and sex.
- Accelerated aging was negatively associated with Aβ42/Aβ40 levels, indicating higher amyloid burden.
- A marginal interaction suggested this association might be stronger in Black adults.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic aging is accelerated in Black adults relative to White adults and is associated with lower Aβ42/Aβ40 levels.
- The association between epigenetic aging and AD biomarkers may be stronger in Black adults.
- Further research with more representative datasets is needed to validate these findings and improve generalizability.
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