Accelerated Epigenetic Aging in Veterans Exposed to Blast.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Military Medicine

Background:

• Military service, particularly post-9/11, involves exposure to blast events.
• Blast exposure is a concern for long-term health outcomes in Veterans.
• Biological aging, measured epigenetically, may be influenced by environmental exposures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between lifetime blast exposure severity and accelerated biological aging in post-9/11 Veterans.
• To determine if this association is independent of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional analysis of 114 post-9/11 combat Veterans was conducted.
• Lifetime blast exposure, PTSD diagnosis, and TBI history were assessed clinically.
• Biological aging was quantified using DunedinPACE, an epigenetic biomarker from whole-blood DNA methylation.

Main Results:

• Increased blast exposure severity was significantly associated with accelerated epigenetic aging (faster DunedinPACE scores).
• Mild TBI history also independently predicted faster biological aging.
• PTSD diagnosis did not show a significant association with accelerated aging.

Conclusions:

• Lifetime blast exposure severity is an independent risk factor for accelerated epigenetic aging in Veterans.
• Blast exposure may contribute to long-term health decline and age-related diseases.
• Epigenetic biomarkers like DunedinPACE could aid in identifying Veterans at risk for accelerated aging and related health issues.