Some humans age faster than others. Variation in biological aging can be measured in midlife, but the implications of this variation are poorly understood. We tested associations between midlife biological aging and indicators of future frailty risk in the Dunedin cohort of 1,037 infants born the same year and followed to age 45. Participants' 'Pace of Aging' was quantified by tracking declining function in 19 biomarkers indexing the cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, immune, dental and pulmonary systems across ages 26, 32, 38 and 45 years. At age 45 in 2019, participants with faster Pace of Aging had more cognitive difficulties, signs of advanced brain aging, diminished sensory-motor functions, older appearances and more pessimistic perceptions of aging. People who are aging more rapidly than same-age peers in midlife may prematurely need supports to sustain independence that are usually reserved for older adults. Chronological age does not adequately identify need for such supports.

Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) and behavioral tests were used to evaluate auditory processing in 10 children aged 7 to 11 years who were diagnosed as learning disabled (LD). AEPs included auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), middle latency responses (MLRs), and late cortical responses (P1, N1, P2, P3). Late cortical responses were recorded using an active listening oddball procedure. Auditory processing disorders were suspected in the LD children after a psychologist found phonologic processing and auditory memory problems. A control group of 10 age- and gender-matched children with no hearing or reported learning difficulties was also tested. Teacher ratings of classroom listening and SCAN Competing Words and Staggered Spondaic Word scores were poorer in the LD children. There were minor ABR latency differences between the two groups. Wave Na of the MLR was later and Nb was smaller in the LD group. The main differences in cortical responses were that P1 was earlier and P3 was later and smaller in the LD group.

Key Points Question Is psychopathology associated with accelerated aging at midlife? Findings In this population-representative birth cohort study of 1037 individuals followed up to age 45 years, a history of psychopathology was associated with a faster pace of biological aging; declines in sensory, motor, and cognitive functioning; and being rated as looking older. Associations persisted after controlling for sex, childhood health, maltreatment, and socioeconomic status and after taking into account being overweight, smoking, using antipsychotic medication, and having a physical disease; associations generalized across externalizing, internalizing, and thought disorders. Meaning Results suggest that the prevention of psychopathology and monitoring of individuals with mental disorders for signs of accelerated aging may have the potential to reduce health inequalities and extend healthy lives.

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