Associations of Epigenetic Age Estimators With Cognitive Function Trajectories in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study
Steve Nguyen, Linda K. McEvoy, Mark A. Espeland, Eric A. Whitsel, Ake T. Lu, Steve Horvath, JoAnn E. Manson, Stephen R. Rapp, Aladdin H. Shadyab
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epigenetic age estimators indicating faster/slower biological aging vs chronological age independently associate with several age-related outcomes; however, longitudinal associations with cognitive function are understudied. We examined associations of epigenetic age estimators with cognitive function measured annually. METHODS: ε4 carriage. RESULTS: -interaction = 0.020). DISCUSSION: ε4 carriers. DunedinPACE may help identify older women at risk of future cognitive decline. Limitations include the ancillary studies that collected epigenetic data not designed to study epigenetics and cognitive function. We examined epigenetic age estimators with global cognitive function and not specific cognitive domains. Findings may not generalize to men and more diverse populations.