ArticlePloS one2022
Epigenetic clock analysis and increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in high-functioning autism spectrum disorder.
Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 22 citations in OpenAlex.
- System-Specific Epigenetic Aging Signatures in Autistic Adults.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2026Article
- Autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan: Dynamic symptom trajectories and multidimensional support framework.Molecular psychiatry · 2026Review
- Molecular markers, mechanisms and metrics of biological aging: a scoping review.Frontiers in aging · 2026Review
- Review
- The Role of Lifestyle Behaviors in Shaping the Relationship Between Chronic Pain and Epigenetic Age Acceleration: Evidence From NHANES 1998 to 2002.Journal of pain research · 2025Article
- Methylation and algorithms in biological aging: a scoping review.Frontiers in aging · 2025Review
- Biological aging analysis based on DNA methylation status for social anxiety disorder.Neuropsychopharmacology reports · 2024Article
- Meta-analyses of epigenetic age acceleration and GrimAge components of schizophrenia or first-episode psychosis.Schizophrenia (Heidelberg, Germany) · 2024Article
- Uncovering Forensic Evidence: A Path to Age Estimation through DNA Methylation.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Review
- Genetic relationship between ageing and coronary heart disease: a Mendelian randomization study.European geriatric medicine · 2024Article
- Epigenetic analysis suggests aberrant cerebellum brain aging in old-aged adults with autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.Molecular psychiatry · 2023Article
- Epigenetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Multi-level Analysis Combining Epi-signature, Age Acceleration, Epigenetic Drift and Rare Epivariations Using Public Datasets.Current neuropharmacology · 2023Article
- DNA methylation GrimAge version 2.Aging · 2022Article
- Utilization of Host and Microbiome Features in Determination of Biological Aging.Microorganisms · 2022Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social communication and behavioral problems. An increased risk of premature mortality has been observed in individuals with ASD. Therefore, we hypothesized that biological aging is accelerated in individuals with ASD. Recently, several studies have established genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles as 'epigenetic clocks' that can estimate biological aging. In addition, ASD has been associated with differential DNAm patterns.
methodsWe used two independent datasets from blood samples consisting of adult patients with high-functioning ASD and controls: the 1st cohort (38 ASD cases and 31 controls) and the 2nd cohort (6 ASD cases and 10 controls). We explored well-studied epigenetic clocks such as HorvathAge, HannumAge, SkinBloodAge, PhenoAge, GrimAge, and DNAm-based telomere length (DNAmTL). In addition, we investigated seven DNAm-based age-related plasma proteins, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and smoking status, which are the components of GrimAge.
resultsCompared to controls, individuals with ASD in the 1st cohort, but not in the 2nd cohort, exhibited a trend for increased GrimAge acceleration and a significant increase of PAI-1 levels. A meta-analysis showed significantly increased PAI-1 levels in individuals with ASD compared to controls.
conclusionOur findings suggest there is no epigenetic age acceleration in the blood of individuals with ASD. However, this study provides novel evidence regarding increased plasma PAI-1 levels in individuals with high-functioning ASD. These findings suggest PAI-1 may be a biomarker for high-functioning ASD, however, larger studies based on epigenetic clocks and PAI-1 will be necessary to confirm these findings.
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