Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Employing the random-effects IVW approach, we found that, as indicated by GrimAge, EAA was associated with an increased risk of AD (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.025, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.006-1.044, p = 0.009). Quality control assessments confirmed the reliability and robustness of our findings. However, the evidence did not support a causal relationship between AD and epigenetic aging in the reverse direction. Our MR study indicates a positive causal relationship between EAA and AD. Further research is necessary to explore the underlying physiological mechanisms.
Key findings
- Employing the random-effects IVW approach, we found that, as indicated by GrimAge, EAA was associated with an increased risk of AD (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.025, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.006-1.044, p = 0.009).
- Quality control assessments confirmed the reliability and robustness of our findings.
- However, the evidence did not support a causal relationship between AD and epigenetic aging in the reverse direction.
- Our MR study indicates a positive causal relationship between EAA and AD.
- Further research is necessary to explore the underlying physiological mechanisms.
Why it matters
This Mendelian randomization study found that epigenetic age acceleration, as measured by GrimAge, was associated with a slightly increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, but found no evidence that Alzheimer's disease causes epigenetic aging. The authors state that further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms, so this does not establish a way to prevent or treat the disease.
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Study details
- Participants63,926
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 39/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Clinical Epigenetics) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Clinical Epigenetics: journal h-index 114 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 4 / 4 | 63,926 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Zhijun Wang: h-index 21 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Shanxi Medical University: institution h-index 258 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41044651) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 39 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s13148-025-01976-z
- PubMed: 41044651
- Original source →
- Free full text: Clinical Epigenetics →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Liu, H., Yin, Z., Chen, X., & Wang, Z. (2025). Exploring causal relationships between epigenetic age acceleration and Alzheimer’s disease: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. Clinical Epigenetics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-025-01976-z
Vancouver
Liu H, Yin Z, Chen X, Wang Z. Exploring causal relationships between epigenetic age acceleration and Alzheimer’s disease: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. Clinical Epigenetics. 2025. doi:10.1186/s13148-025-01976-z. PMID: 41044651.
BibTeX
@article{liu2025-41044651,
author = {Liu, Hongwei and Yin, Zhaoxu and Chen, Xuan and Wang, Zhijun},
title = {{Exploring causal relationships between epigenetic age acceleration and Alzheimer’s disease: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study}},
journal = {Clinical Epigenetics},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1186/s13148-025-01976-z},
pmid = {41044651},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-025-01976-z}
}
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.