🔬TODAY’S BREAKTHROUGH
How fast are you really aging?
A new study shows that a single brain scan can now estimate your biological aging pace, and predict cognitive decline, frailty, and even early mortality.
The Discovery:
In a major breakthrough, scientists have introduced DunedinPACNI, a new MRI-based biomarker that measures the Pace of Aging using just one standard brain MRI.
This tool was trained on long-term biological data from the Dunedin Study, one of the longest-running birth cohorts in the world.
When tested in adults around age 45, it accurately predicted multiple future outcomes, including hippocampal atrophy, cognitive decline, frailty, and 40% higher risk of death. Its predictive power surpassed traditional brain-age gap models and worked across multiple international datasets.
The Science:
DunedinPACNI was trained using 19 biomarkers from the Dunedin Longitudinal Study, tracking biological changes from age 26 to 45
It uses a standard T1-weighted MRI scan to calculate a personalized aging rate
Higher scores correlated with more severe hippocampal shrinkage, greater memory loss, and worse physical performance
The biomarker was validated across three major studies: ADNI, UK Biobank, and BrainLat
Unlike other models, it doesn’t just estimate brain age, it reflects whole-body biological aging linked to health outcomes
Your Action:
If your healthcare provider offers it, consider scheduling a baseline brain MRI, especially if you have family history of dementia or early aging signs.
You can slow brain aging by supporting hippocampal health: practice regular aerobic exercise, resistance training, and mental challenges.
Maintain strong metabolic health with quality sleep, blood pressure control, and omega-3 intake.
Avoid chronic stress, smoking, and alcohol, all known to accelerate neurodegeneration.
Bottom Line:
Your brain now holds a measurable signature of how fast you’re aging, and that data may be the earliest warning signal for future decline.
Source:
DunedinPACNI estimates the longitudinal Pace of Aging from a single brain image to track health and disease, Nature Aging, Ethan T. Whitman et al., Duke University, Harvard University, and University of Otago, July 1, 2025
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-025-00897-z
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Disclaimer:
This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen.