The presence of a psychiatric diagnosis could alter the epigenetic clock in monozygotic twins

Background The acceleration of the epigenetic clock has been associated with a reduction in life expectancy. Individuals diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder have a reduction in life expectancy, and some studies have correlated it with accelerated aging. Objective The present study aims to explore whether the presence of any psychiatric disorder could accelerate the epigenetic clock in monozygotic twins. Methods A total of 15 pairs of monozygotic twins were included. Epigenetic age in peripheral blood cells was estimated by previously published algorithms, using the 450K Beadchip microarray. Results We found that in twins with a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, the epigenetic clock could increase compared to their twin without a psychiatric disorder. Discussion and conclusion The presence of some psychiatric disorder could accelerate the epigenetic clock in homozygous twins, but studies with larger samples are required to clarify this relationship.