In a study published in Nature Mental Health, scientists from China and the United States report that individuals suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP), particularly chronic knee pain from knee osteoarthritis (KOA), may face a higher risk of brain aging.
CMP is a leading cause of disability, affecting more than 40% of the world's population and impacting patients' cognitive function. While the exact mechanism is not fully understood, research indicates that inflammatory markers associated with brain aging are higher in CMP patients, suggesting a link between brain aging and CMP.
The team, led by Prof. TU Yiheng from the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences explored the profiles of brain aging patterns and underlying mechanisms in different types of CMP. Using structural MRI data from over 9,000 individuals, they found that individuals with KOA experienced more rapid brain aging than healthy individuals, particularly in brain regions responsible for cognitive function, such as the hippocampus.
The study also provided longitudinal evidence suggesting that the brain aging marker could predict future memory decline and increased dementia risk. Furthermore, the researchers identified the gene SLC39A8 as a shared link between KOA and accelerated brain aging, highlighting the potential role of inflammation and neurodevelopment in this phenomenon.