Data from: Accelerated epigenetic age and cognitive decline among urban-dwelling adults

Objectives. Epigenetic modifications are closely linked with aging, but
their relationship with cognition remains equivocal. Given known sex
differences in epigenetic aging, we explored sex-specific associations of
three DNA methylation-based (DNAm) measures of epigenetic age acceleration
(EAA) with baseline and longitudinal change in cognitive performance among
middle-aged urban adults. Methods. We used exploratory data from a
sub-group of participants in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of
Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study with complete DNA samples
and whose baseline ages were >50.0y (2004-2009) to estimate three
DNAm EAA measures: (A) universal epigenetic age acceleration (AgeAccel);
(B) intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (IEAA) ; and (C) extrinsic
epigenetic age acceleration (EEAA). Cognitive performance was measured at
baseline visit (2004-2009) and first follow-up (2009-2013) with 11 test
scores covering global mental status and specific domains such as
learning/memory, attention, visuo-spatial, psychomotor speed,
language/verbal and executive function executive. A series of
mixed-effects regression models were conducted adjusting for covariates
and multiple testing (N=147-156, ~51% men, k=1.7-1.9
observations/participant, mean follow-up time~4.7y). Results. EEAA, a
measure of both biological age and immunosenescence, was consistently
associated with greater cognitive decline among men on tests of visual
memory/visuo-constructive ability (Benton Visual Retention Test:
γ11=0.0512±0.0176, p=0.004) and attention/processing speed (Trail making
test, part A: γ11=0.219±0.080, p=0.007). AgeAccel and IEAA were not
associated with cognitive change in this sample. Conclusions. EEAA
capturing immune system cell aging was associated with faster decline
among men in domains of attention and visual memory. Larger longitudinal
studies are needed to replicate our findings.