Epigenetic clocks suggest accelerated aging in patients with isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Luca Baldelli, Chiara Pirazzini, Luisa Sambati, Francesco Ravaioli, Davide Gentilini, Giovanna Calandra–Buonaura, Pietro Guaraldi, Claudio Franceschi, Pietro Cortelli, Paolo Garagnani, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Federica Provini
Abstract
Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD) is the strongest prodromal marker for α-synucleinopathies. Overt α-synucleinopathies and aging share several mechanisms, but this relationship has been poorly investigated in prodromal phases. Using DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks, we measured biological aging in videopolysomnography confirmed iRBD patients, videopolysomnography-negative and population-based controls. We found that iRBDs tended to be epigenetically older than controls, suggesting that accelerated aging characterizes prodromal neurodegeneration.