Published on: Sep 08, 2025
New research from the University of Virginia shows that epigenetic clocks – tools that estimate a person’s biological age – can reliably predict cognitive decline.
The study, led by psychology doctoral student Sophie Bell under the guidance of professor Eric Turkheimer, focused on middle-aged identical twins. It found that the twin who was biologically aging faster also experienced greater declines in memory and thinking skills by midlife. The findings were published in the journal Aging.
Epigenetic changes are a more telling indicator of aging than chronological age alone, Bell said. We found that certain epigenetic clocks, particularly GrimAge and PhenoAge, consistently predict cognitive decline across studies.
Another key finding was the role of socioeconomic status. Twins from families with lower socioeconomic conditions showed a stronger connection between accelerated biological aging and cognitive decline, highlighting how poverty can worsen health outcomes over time.
The research builds on the Louisville Twin Study, a decades-long project tracking twins from childhood through adulthood. By comparing identical twins—who share 100% of their genetics—researchers can better isolate the impact of environmental and life factors on aging and brain health.
Epigenetic clocks have already been linked to cancer, heart disease, and dementia. This study connects the dots between biological aging, memory decline, and socioeconomic disadvantage, suggesting early-life poverty may increase vulnerability to the effects of accelerated aging on the brain.
Bell, who is training as a clinical neuropsychologist, also works with dementia patients at the UVA Memory and Aging Care Clinic. She plans to expand on these findings in her dissertation while continuing her work on the Louisville Twin Study.
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