# Epigenetic Aging Cognitive Function and Exercise in Older Adults

> **NIH NIH RF1** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2024 · $2,358,537

## Abstract

Abstract
In the United States, 1 in 9 individuals 65 and older and one third of individuals 85 and older have
Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). By age 70, age-related cognitive decline is nearly ubiquitous with signs of mild
cognitive impairment in a large portion of older adults. Exercise is a promising intervention to mitigate cognitive
decline in older adults, however response to exercise varies. Epigenetic age, particularly accelerated
epigenetic aging, has been linked to neurodegenerative disorders including AD, other types of dementia and
cognitive aging. Understanding the impact of social determinants of health (SDoH) on epigenetic aging is
gaining momentum with several studies implicating cumulative lifetime stress, lifestyle, early life adversity, and
neighborhood context with epigenetic age acceleration. The impact of exercise on DNA methylation is well
established and its impact on epigenetic aging is a burgeoning area of research. Elucidating biologic
underpinnings related to variability in cognitive function (CF), brain health (BH), biomarkers of AD, and
response to exercise are necessary to improve mitigation of age-related cognitive decline. The overarching
hypothesis for this project is that heterogeneity of biological aging explains variation in CF, BH, biomarkers of
AD, and response to exercise in non-cognitively impaired older adults. This project will be accomplished by
harnessing the data and biospecimens collected through the Investigating Gains in Neurocognition in an
Intervention Trial of exercise (IGNITE) project. Participants (n=648) were 65-80 years old, community dwelling,
not cognitively impaired individuals who exercised <20 minutes/week. Participants were randomized to a 12
month intervention to 1 of 3 groups: group 1=150 minutes/week moderate intensity aerobic exercise; group
2=225 minutes/week moderate intensity aerobic exercise; group 3=light intensity stretching 150 minutes/week
(control). An extensive cognitive function battery and blood were collected at baseline (month 0), midpoint
(month 6) and completion (month 12) of intervention, neuroimaging at 0 and 12 months, amyloid β at month 0
and AD biomarkers at month 0 and 12. Data on lifestyle and social determinants of health were also collected.
The aims of this study are to determine the effect of epigenetic age acceleration on CF, BH, and biomarkers of
AD in older adults; determine the effect of a dose response moderate intensity exercise intervention on
epigenetic age acceleration in older adults; examine the role of epigenetic age acceleration CF, BH, and
biomarkers of AD in older adults within the context of a 12-month dose-response exercise intervention; and
examine the effects of SDoH and their interaction with epigenetic age acceleration on CF, BH, and biomarkers
of AD in older adults within the context of a 12-month dose-response exercise intervention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10980240
- **Project number:** 1RF1AG084554-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Yvette P Conley
- **Activity code:** RF1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $2,358,537
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10980240

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10980240, Epigenetic Aging Cognitive Function and Exercise in Older Adults (1RF1AG084554-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10980240. Licensed CC0.

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