Your epigenetic "age" can predict your risk of developing cognitive impairments and dementia later in life, a new study reports. Epigenetic age takes into account specific personal epigenetic changes that occur in relation to your biological age.
A new study reports children who are subjected violence early in life experience faster biological aging, including earlier onset of puberty and epigenetic aging, than peers who are not abused. Additionally, children exposed to other early life adversities, such as poverty and food insecurity, show delayed signs of pubertal development.
Children who experienced higher levels of distress and less physical contact had a lower epigenetic age than those who were picked up and held more frequently, researchers report. Lower epigenetic age, researchers note, may impede a child's ability to thrive.
