A recent study published in GeroScience investigated the impact of insomnia on biological aging, utilizing epigenetic clocks to measure this effect.
Key Findings
Accelerated Epigenetic Aging
Older adults with insomnia exhibited increased acceleration in GrimAge and SkinBloodClock, two established epigenetic clocks. This suggests that insomnia may contribute to faster biological aging.
Telomere Shortening
A significant reduction in DNA methylation-based telomere length (DNAmTL) was observed among individuals with insomnia, indicating potential telomere shortening associated with sleep disturbances.
Epigenome-Wide Association Study (EWAS)
The analysis revealed a global pattern of hypomethylation in insomnia patients, with enrichment in pathways related to proteostasis and oxidative stress.
Implications
These findings underscore the potential of insomnia to accelerate biological aging through epigenetic modifications. Addressing sleep disturbances may be a crucial component in strategies aimed at promoting healthy aging and mitigating age-related diseases.
Discussion
Considering the association between insomnia and accelerated epigenetic aging, interventions targeting sleep quality should be integrated into broader health and longevity programs. How can we do that best?
Reference
Rivero-Segura, N. A., Rodriguez Cuartas, J. D., Garcia-delaTorre, P., et al. (2025). Insomnia accelerates the epigenetic clocks in older adults. GeroScience.