Children living with multiple sclerosis (MS) show signs of accelerated biological aging, even in their teenage years. This is according to new research from scientists at the University of California (UC), San Diego, and their collaborators that was published recently in a Neurology paper titled “Epigenetic Aging in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis.”
Results from the study showed that “compared to young people without MS, youth with MS had evidence of accelerated epigenetic age, a measurement of DNA chemical modifications associated with aging,” said Jennifer Graves, MD, PhD, senior author of the study and professor and vice chair of neurosciences at UC San Diego. “We know that aging is related to the development of a less treatable form of MS and that adults with MS face both normal aging and accelerated aging from the disease.”
The scientists focused on children and teenagers not yet impacted by the processes of normal aging and age-related illnesses like hypertension and diabetes. They looked for DNA methylation markers in blood samples from 125 children with MS and 145 children without MS. Despite appearing outwardly healthy, children with MS had DNA patterns that indicated that they were biologically older than their peers, according to the analysis.
Specifically, the researchers found differences in four epigenetic clocks as well as signs of accelerated aging in MS patients in two clocks that were most sensitive to health-related stress and inflammation. The most affected kids appeared to be aging up to two years faster biologically than their healthy peers, even though their average chronological age was just 15.
Previous studies have linked biological age to disability progression in adults with MS. The findings from this study suggest that the aging process may start much earlier for these patients, potentially before visible symptoms of progression appear. “This is a whole new concept in MS,” said Graves. “Aging isn’t something we think of affecting teenagers. But these kids are accumulating cellular damage that may not show up clinically until years later, when they suddenly transition from doing fine to disease progression in their 30s. It is a significant finding to see this accelerated aging in children. If we can understand the interplay between the immune system, the brain, and aging—and break that open—we might be able to put MS into full remission in the future.”
As part of their next steps, the researchers plan to assess how social stressors, obesity, and environmental exposures may accelerate aging in children with MS, especially given the higher prevalence of pediatric MS among lower-income families.
The post Biological Aging Markers Elevated in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Cases appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
Results from the study showed that “compared to young people without MS, youth with MS had evidence of accelerated epigenetic age, a measurement of DNA chemical modifications associated with aging,” said Jennifer Graves, MD, PhD, senior author of the study and professor and vice chair of neurosciences at UC San Diego. “We know that aging is related to the development of a less treatable form of MS and that adults with MS face both normal aging and accelerated aging from the disease.”
The scientists focused on children and teenagers not yet impacted by the processes of normal aging and age-related illnesses like hypertension and diabetes. They looked for DNA methylation markers in blood samples from 125 children with MS and 145 children without MS. Despite appearing outwardly healthy, children with MS had DNA patterns that indicated that they were biologically older than their peers, according to the analysis.
Specifically, the researchers found differences in four epigenetic clocks as well as signs of accelerated aging in MS patients in two clocks that were most sensitive to health-related stress and inflammation. The most affected kids appeared to be aging up to two years faster biologically than their healthy peers, even though their average chronological age was just 15.
Previous studies have linked biological age to disability progression in adults with MS. The findings from this study suggest that the aging process may start much earlier for these patients, potentially before visible symptoms of progression appear. “This is a whole new concept in MS,” said Graves. “Aging isn’t something we think of affecting teenagers. But these kids are accumulating cellular damage that may not show up clinically until years later, when they suddenly transition from doing fine to disease progression in their 30s. It is a significant finding to see this accelerated aging in children. If we can understand the interplay between the immune system, the brain, and aging—and break that open—we might be able to put MS into full remission in the future.”
As part of their next steps, the researchers plan to assess how social stressors, obesity, and environmental exposures may accelerate aging in children with MS, especially given the higher prevalence of pediatric MS among lower-income families.
The post Biological Aging Markers Elevated in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Cases appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.