Clinical Report: Metabolomic Aging in Relation to Mental and Behavioral Disorders
Overview
This study examines the differences in metabolomic aging across various mental disorders using data from the UK Biobank. Findings indicate that many disorders are associated with an older biological age, while some, such as obsessive-compulsive and eating disorders, are linked to a younger biological age.
Background
Individuals with mental disorders often experience increased morbidity and premature mortality. Previous research has suggested that accelerated aging may contribute to these disparities, yet comprehensive studies across diverse mental health diagnoses remain limited. This study aims to fill that gap by analyzing metabolomic profiles to assess disorder-specific aging.
Data Highlights
Disorder Type
Metabolite-Predicted Age vs. Chronological Age
Psychotic Disorders
Older (β=0.556, p<0.001)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Younger
Eating Disorders
Younger
Key Findings
Substance use, psychotic, affective, and neurotic disorders are associated with older metabolite-predicted ages.
Obsessive-compulsive and eating disorders are linked to younger metabolomic ages.
Associations with metabolomic aging are generally stronger in males and individuals under 65 years.
Higher genetic liability to depression, autism, and ADHD predicts older metabolomic age.
Polygenic scores for psychosis and tobacco use disorder predict younger metabolomic age.
Clinical Implications
Biological age should not be assumed to uniformly exceed chronological age across mental disorders. Sex and age-specific approaches could improve understanding of biological aging processes in psychiatry.
Conclusion
Metabolomic aging in mental disorders is heterogeneous. While many disorders are associated with an older biological age, some are linked to a younger biological age.
