Accelerated aging in the brain, epigenetic aging in blood, and polygenic risk for schizophrenia

• DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.04.005
• Publication Date: 2021-04-18T22:54:20Z
• Authors: Jalmar Teeuw; Anil P.S. Ori; Rachel M. Brouwer; Sonja M.C. de Zwarte; Hugo G. Schnack; Hilleke E. Hulsho...; Roel A. Ophoff
• Keywords: Brain Aging; Aging brain; Accelerated aging; Biological age

Schizophrenia patients show signs of accelerated aging in cognitive and physiological domains. Both schizophrenia aging, as measured by MRI brain images epigenetic clocks, are correlated with increased mortality. However, the association between these measures have not yet been studied patients. In healthy subjects, was assessed tissue using a longitudinal (N = 715 scans; mean scan interval 3.4 year) blood two age clocks 172). Differences ('gaps') estimated ages chronological were calculated, well acceleration rate aging. The correlations polygenic risk scores for (PRS; N 394) investigated. Brain significantly correlated. Polygenic gap, rate, negatively DNAmAge but PhenoAge gap. after controlling disease status multiple comparisons correction, effects no longer significant. Our results imply that (accelerated) observed reflect distinct biological processes. findings will require replication larger cohort.