Accelerated Aging Predicts Earlier Onset Of Ischemic Stroke: A Proteomic And Transcriptomic Investigation
Have you ever met someone who seems “older” or “younger” than their actual age? This isn’t just a feeling; our bodies have a “biological age” that can differ from our chronological age (the number of years we’ve been alive). Fascinating new research indicates that if your biological age is ticking faster than your calendar suggests, you might be at a higher risk for an earlier ischemic stroke.
This investigation into how aging at a molecular level impacts stroke risk made some compelling discoveries. Researchers analyzed proteins (the building blocks of our cells) and gene activity (how our genes are turned on or off) in the blood to create a “biological clock.” When they applied this clock to stroke patients, they found that nearly 40% of them showed signs of accelerated aging, meaning their bodies were biologically older than their chronological age. Strikingly, these individuals experienced their first ischemic stroke, a type of stroke caused by a blood clot, almost nine years sooner than people whose biological and actual ages matched.
Even more intriguing, the study suggested a bidirectional relationship: not only does accelerated aging precede stroke, but a stroke itself might also speed up the aging process. The biological age of some patients increased by nearly two years just three months after a stroke, even with medical treatment. By examining the activity of genes, scientists also uncovered unusual patterns in genes related to smell and sensory functions. This provides fresh clues about how a faster aging process might affect the blood vessels in the brain.
Understanding these molecular-level changes could pave the way for new strategies to prevent strokes, especially in younger adults. By identifying who is aging faster biologically, we might be able to intervene earlier and protect brain health.
Source: link to paper