Epigenetic aging as a biomarker of dementia and related outcomes: a systematic review
- Epigenomics. 2022 Sep;14(18):1125-1138. doi: 10.2217/epi-2022-0209.
- 1. Division of Epidemiology, Jockey Club School of Public Health & Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- 2. Biological Neuropsychiatry & Dementia Unit, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
Background: Biological aging may be a robust biomarker of dementia or cognitive performance. This systematic review synthesized the evidence for an association between epigenetic aging and dementia, mild cognitive impairment and cognitive function. Methods: A systematic search was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results: 30 eligible articles were included. There was no strong evidence that accelerated epigenetic aging was associated with dementia/mild cognitive impairment (n = 7). There was some evidence of an association with poorer cognition (n = 20), particularly with GrimAge acceleration, but this was inconsistent and varied across cognitive domains. A meta-analysis was not performed due to high study heterogeneity. Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to indicate that current epigenetic aging clocks can be clinically useful biomarkers of dementia or cognitive aging.