Social Connectedness and Cognitive Function in Later Life
GrimAge as an Epigenetic Mediating Pathway
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19225713 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Layla Katharine Santana (0009-0008-8989-7630, University of South Florida), Peng (0000-0002-4049-4485, University of South Florida), Siyun Peng, Hongdao Meng (0000-0003-4551-9562, University of South Florida) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 8982643261447919-8982643261447919 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-05 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Aging and Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1552-6887 • E-ISSN: 0898-2643 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/08982643261447919 |
| PMID | 42083723 |
| OpenAlex | W7160306035 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 46 |
Objectives To test whether epigenetic aging mediates associations between social connectedness and later cognitive function among U.S. older adults. Methods Using Health and Retirement Study data ( N = 1,574; mean age = 68.5), we modeled 2014 social connectedness as a latent factor (participation, isolation, loneliness), assessed four DNA methylation clocks in 2016 (DNAmGrimAge, DunedinPoAm, DNAmPhenoAge, Zhang), and cognition in 2018. Survey-weighted regression-with-residuals mediation models adjusted for socio-demographics, smoking, obesity, self-rated health, heart disease, baseline cognition, and complex design. Results Lower social connectedness predicted poorer 2018 cognition (ATE ≈ −0.047 to −0.048 across models, p .05). Discussion Findings provide limited, clock-specific support for epigenetic mediation, with preliminary evidence implicating DNAmGrimAge
Cognition · Cognitive aging · DNA methylation · Epigenetics · Mediation · Social cognitive theory · Social connectedness · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Epigenetics and DNA Methylation · Race, Genetics, and Society
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |