Addiction Accelerates Brain Aging via Distinct Molecular Pathways

Addiction Accelerates Brain Aging via Distinct Molecular Pathways

Substance use disorders (SUDs) accelerate biological aging in the brain through substance-specific molecular mechanisms. Using brain-specific epigenetic clocks, researchers found that alcohol, opioids, and stimulants each trigger unique patterns of neurodegeneration, particularly in the decision-making centers of the brain.

Groundbreaking Study Reveals How Substance Use Accelerates Brain Aging via

In a pioneering study poised to reshape our understanding of addiction and brain aging, researchers at UTHealth Houston have unveiled compelling molecular evidence that substance use disorders (SUDs) accelerate biological aging within the human brain. Published in the April 29, 2025 issue of Genomic Psychiatry, this landmark research leverages brain-specific epigenetic clocks and advanced transcriptomic analyses to dissect the distinct yet conve…