GeroSciencePub Date : 2025-10-02DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01883-4
Lia Rotti,Joanne M Murabito,Jiachen Chen,Yumeng Cao,Ahmed A Y Ragab,Chunyu Liu,Mengyao Wang,Margaret F Doyle,Kathryn L Lunetta
{"title":"Immune cells and inflammatory proteins are differentially associated with subsequent DNA methylation biological aging measures in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort.","authors":"Lia Rotti,Joanne M Murabito,Jiachen Chen,Yumeng Cao,Ahmed A Y Ragab,Chunyu Liu,Mengyao Wang,Margaret F Doyle,Kathryn L Lunetta","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01883-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01883-4","url":null,"abstract":"To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships among immunoscenescence and inflammaging, and subsequent epigenetic aging, we measured a panel of 43 immune cell phenotypes and 68 inflammatory proteins collected from blood samples provided by participants in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort at Exam 7 (1998-2001) and principal component-based DNA methylation (DNAm)-based biologic clocks measured at the subsequent exam (Exam 8 2005-2008), an average of 6 years later. A total of 24 of the 43 immune cell phenotypes and 55 of the 68 inflammatory proteins investigated were significantly associated with at least one of six DNAm aging metrics in age and sex adjusted models. The immune cell associations persisted after accounting for cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, but the protein associations were attenuated. The effects of the inflammatory proteins were larger in the subset of individuals who were < 60 at the protein measurement, compared to those ≥ 60. Immune cell measurements had more associations with age acceleration measures from the 1st generation DNAm clocks and the 2nd generation PhenoAge, while the inflammatory proteins were primarily associated with age acceleration measures based on PhenoAge, GrimAge, and the Dunedin Pace of Aging metric. This study is one of the first attempts to investigate prospective relationships between baseline immune cell composition measured via flow cytometry and inflammatory protein levels and DNAm age measured several years later and represents one of the most comprehensive mappings of immune and inflammatory contributions to DNAm-based age acceleration and pace of aging metrics to date.","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145209146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeroSciencePub Date : 2025-10-02DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01895-0
Yunxin Shi,Hongxian Wu,Lulu Pan,Yahang Liu,Chen Huang,Yongfu Yu,Guoyou Qin,Leqi He
{"title":"Association of accelerated phenotypic aging, lifestyle and genetic risk with progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity: a multi-state model analysis.","authors":"Yunxin Shi,Hongxian Wu,Lulu Pan,Yahang Liu,Chen Huang,Yongfu Yu,Guoyou Qin,Leqi He","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01895-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01895-0","url":null,"abstract":"We aimed to use multi-state models to assess joint impacts of lifestyle and genetic risk with phenotypic age acceleration on cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) trajectory, and to further explore whether phenotypic age acceleration mediates association between lifestyle and each transitions. We conducted a prospective cohort study included 365,573 adults free of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) at baseline in UK Biobank. Multi-state model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of joint impacts of lifestyle and genetic risk with PhenoAgeAccel on CMM progression. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore indirect effect of PhenoAgeAccel on association between lifestyle and all transitions. During a median follow-up of 13.68 years, 54,483 participants developed first cardiometabolic diseases (FCMD), 7,397 developed CMM, and 27,288 died from any causes. Participants with accelerated phenotypic aging and unfavorable lifestyles had higher risks of all transitions, with HRs ranging from 1.53 (95% CI 1.37, 1.71) to 2.80 (2.62, 3.00). Additionally, those with accelerated phenotypic aging and high genetic risk showed a higher risk of FCMD incidence (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.32, 1.61) and transition from FCMD to CMM (2.09; 2.02, 2.17). Furthermore, phenotypic age acceleration partially mediated the impact of lifestyle on all transitions, with mediation proportion varying from 6.28% (3.46, 9.10%) to 9.92% (6.37, 13.46%). Participants with phenotypic age acceleration have increased risk of CMM progression, especially among those with unfavorable lifestyles and high genetic risk. Phenotypic age acceleration partially mediated the relationship between lifestyle and CMM progression.","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeroSciencePub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01919-9
Jozo Grgic,Vanessa Kristina Wazny,Andrea B Maier,Brad J Schoenfeld,Zeljko Pedisic
{"title":"Reference values for handgrip strength in Europe: analysis of individual participant data from 27 countries.","authors":"Jozo Grgic,Vanessa Kristina Wazny,Andrea B Maier,Brad J Schoenfeld,Zeljko Pedisic","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01919-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01919-9","url":null,"abstract":"We aimed to determine reference values for handgrip strength in Europe. Data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe were used, involving adults aged 50 + years. Reference values were expressed as weighted percentiles for absolute (kg) and relative (kg/m2) handgrip strength. For women, the highest absolute handgrip strength was observed among the 50-54-year-olds (standing: 5th percentile [P5] = 19 kg; 50th percentile [P50] = 29 kg; 95th percentile [P95] = 39 kg, sitting: P5 = 20 kg; P50 = 29 kg; P95 = 40 kg) and the lowest among the ≥ 90-year-olds (standing: P5 = 9 kg; P50 = 17 kg; P95 = 26 kg, sitting: P5 = 6 kg; P50 = 14 kg; P95 = 24 kg). For men, the highest absolute handgrip strength was observed among the 50-54-year-olds (standing: P5 = 30 kg; P50 = 46 kg; P95 = 62 kg, sitting: P5 = 29 kg; P50 = 46 kg; P95 = 60 kg) and the lowest among the ≥ 90-year-olds (standing: P5 = 12 kg; P50 = 27 kg; P95 = 39 kg, sitting: P5 = 10 kg; P50 = 25 kg; P95 = 37 kg). Compared with women, men had higher handgrip strength. Handgrip strength was generally higher in Northern and Western Europe compared with Southern and Central/Eastern Europe, and in the standing position compared with the sitting position. Similar patterns were found for relative handgrip strength. The reference values determined in this study can facilitate benchmarking for clinical, population health, and research purposes.","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeroSciencePub Date : 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01914-0
Ji-Woo Seok,Jaeuk U Kim,Jung-Dae Kim
{"title":"Effects of whole-body vibration on cognitive function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Ji-Woo Seok,Jaeuk U Kim,Jung-Dae Kim","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01914-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01914-0","url":null,"abstract":"Whole-body vibration exercise (WBV) is a low-intensity intervention for improving cognitive function, particularly among individuals who are older or have physical limitations. However, quantitative evidence regarding its effectiveness is limited. This meta-analysis aimed to quantify the effects of WBV on cognitive function and explore major moderating variables and differences across cognitive domains. Sixteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, yielding 37 effect sizes (Hedges' g) related to cognitive outcomes. Effect sizes were estimated for overall cognitive function and four subdomains: global cognition, executive function, attention, and memory. A meta-regression analysis was conducted to assess the influence of potential moderators, including vibration frequency, intensity, posture, and intervention duration. WBV had a small but statistically significant positive effect on overall cognitive function (Hedges' g = 0.375, 95% CI = [0.263, 0.486], p < .001). Effect sizes were greatest for global cognition (g = 0.55), followed by executive function (g = 0.41), attention (g = 0.28), and memory (g = 0.28). Meta-regression analysis revealed that most of the moderating variables were not significant. The total intervention dose was the only significant moderator (p = .041). This meta-analysis revealed that WBV is associated with meaningful improvements in cognitive function and that the benefits may be greater among populations with cognitive impairment. WBV may be clinically applicable as a low-intensity, accessible cognitive intervention for older adults and individuals with physical limitations. Future research should investigate the relationships between cognitive domain-specific responses and physiological indicators and develop tailored intervention strategies based on age and cognitive status.Registration: PROSPERO CRD420251067063.","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"91 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145194653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeroSciencePub Date : 2025-09-29DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01853-w
Jose G Godoy-Lugo,Khristina E Young,Prerana Vaddi,Yvann Batamack,Jolaiya Aldridge,Sun Ok Fernandez-Kim,Diana C Albarado,Susan J Burke,Jacqueline M Stephens,Christopher D Morrison,Cristal M Hill
{"title":"Low protein-induced-FGF-21 signaling remodels adipose tissue on reduced markers of senescence during aging.","authors":"Jose G Godoy-Lugo,Khristina E Young,Prerana Vaddi,Yvann Batamack,Jolaiya Aldridge,Sun Ok Fernandez-Kim,Diana C Albarado,Susan J Burke,Jacqueline M Stephens,Christopher D Morrison,Cristal M Hill","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01853-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01853-w","url":null,"abstract":"Cellular senescence and metabolic impairment occur during aging, with adipose tissue decline playing a key role in this process. Furthermore, the detriments of aging on adipose tissue function are further exacerbated by obesity. Dietary protein restriction (DPR), without reducing calorie intake, protects against age-related metabolic decline and extends lifespan through the metabolic hormone FGF21. Here, we demonstrate that protein restriction significantly decreases pro-oncogenic and senescence-related markers in adipose tissue, including SASP, Cdkn1a Cdkn1a, and SA-βgal staining. Additionally, mice fed a low-protein diet during diet-induced obesity demonstrated significant decreases in tumorigenic and cell cycle markers compared with mice fed a control protein and high-fat diet, suggesting that a low-protein diet decreases the burden of cellular senescence on adipose tissue in aged mice and aged obese mice. Conversely, mice lacking FGF21 failed to exhibit the benefits of protein restriction on markers of senescence in white and brown adipose tissue. These data demonstrate that protein restriction exerts distinct beneficial effects on white and brown adipose tissue remodeling on senescence and other markers associated with improvements in lifespan and particularly health span. Given the negative impact of cellular senescence on adipose tissue, protein restriction offers a potential dietary intervention to prevent the detriments of cellular senescence on adipose tissue function during obesity and aging.","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145189373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeroSciencePub Date : 2025-09-29DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01913-1
Diala Haykal,Frédéric Flament,Rawad Abdayem,Dong Hun Lee
{"title":"Toward new clinical evaluation models for skin longevity: the need for predictive and accelerated approaches.","authors":"Diala Haykal,Frédéric Flament,Rawad Abdayem,Dong Hun Lee","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01913-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01913-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145189488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeroSciencePub Date : 2025-09-29DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01893-2
Michelle C Eliason,Amrutha Bindu Nagella,Cristian Cuadra,David S Wack,Ghazala T Saleem,
{"title":"Surface-based morphometry reveals divergent aging trajectories in veterans with and without traumatic brain injury.","authors":"Michelle C Eliason,Amrutha Bindu Nagella,Cristian Cuadra,David S Wack,Ghazala T Saleem, ","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01893-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01893-2","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates how traumatic brain injury (TBI) alters cortical aging by comparing cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) in 34 brain regions between TBI survivors and age-matched controls. Using a cross-sectional retrospective design, 105 Vietnam Veterans (32 with moderate-to-severe TBI, 73 controls) were analyzed via surface-based morphometry. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced dimensionality, and Multivariate Analysis of Covariance tested group differences while controlling for age, education, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and intracranial volume. Findings revealed divergent morphometric signatures of aging: the proportion of SA variance explained by the first principal component (PC1) was lower in the TBI cohort compared to controls, particularly in parietal and limbic regions. Conversely, CT variance explained by PC1 was higher in TBI compared to controls, with fewer factor loadings in frontal and occipital regions, suggesting differential structural aging patterns due to TBI. Regression analysis demonstrated a stronger association of SA with age in TBI (R2 = 0.619, p = 0.01), while CT exhibited significant negative age-related thinning in TBI-specific regions (R2 = 0.450, p < 0.001). Together, these results suggest that TBI survivors exhibit structured, yet distinct, cortical remodeling, contrasting with the more diffuse patterns seen in normal aging. The differentiated organization of brain areas based on CT and SA points to brain morphology-based biomarkers capable of distinguishing pathological from normative aging trajectories. These biomarkers hold translational potential for refining diagnostic models of brain age and informing targeted neuromodulation or rehabilitation strategies to support cognitive and functional resilience in older adults with TBI.","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145189486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"rTMS modulates early AD progression via synergistic brain network reorganization and peripheral biomarker dynamics.","authors":"Tian Wang,Miaomiao Guo,Hao Wu,Shuai Liu,Yong Ji,Pan Wang,Guizhi Xu","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01888-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01888-z","url":null,"abstract":"Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improves cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet its biomarker and neuroplasticity effects remain unclear. Cognitive scale scores, plasma biomarker levels, and resting-state fMRI brain network in AD patients were analyzed before and after a 14-day 20 Hz rTMS intervention. The results demonstrated that rTMS intervention significantly improved cognitive performance (MMSE: Z = - 2.863, q = 0.017; MoCA: t = - 6.137, q < 0.001; RAVLT_I: t = - 3.436, q = 0.011) and reduced neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI: Z = - 2.547, q = 0.037; HAMD: Z = - 3.472, q = 0.009). A 9.4% reduction in neurofilament light chain levels was demonstrated (Z = - 2.371, P = 0.018), with baseline p-Tau181 levels being inversely correlated to Aβ42 changes (R = - 0.428, P = 0.033). Enhanced global efficiency (GE: t = - 1.865, P = 0.081, r = 0.423) and increased connection density (CD: Z = - 1.823, P = 0.068, r = 0.442) were identified in neural networks. Notably, GE improvements positively correlated with elevated Aβ42/40 (R = 0.596, P = 0.025), while cognitive gains measured by the MoCA were significantly associated with network reorganization metrics (GE: R = 0.486, P = 0.048; CD: R = 0.514, P = 0.035). rTMS demonstrates potential in mitigating neurodegeneration by enhancing brain network integration and modulating Aβ metabolism. This effect was particularly pronounced in early-stage AD patients who exhibit preserved neural integrity. These findings advance therapeutic assessment frameworks and decode TMS neuromodulation mechanisms. The trial was prospectively registered (ChiCTR2400080657, ClinicalTrials.gov; 2024-02-04).","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145181161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeroSciencePub Date : 2025-09-27DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01894-1
Zoltán Ungvári,Otília Menyhart,Alberto Ocana,Mónika Fekete,Andrea Lehoczki,Balázs Győrffy
{"title":"Senescence-associated gene signatures predict survival in lung cancer: a multi-cohort analysis.","authors":"Zoltán Ungvári,Otília Menyhart,Alberto Ocana,Mónika Fekete,Andrea Lehoczki,Balázs Győrffy","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01894-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01894-1","url":null,"abstract":"Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and is predominantly diagnosed in older adults, underscoring the need to explore aging-related biological mechanisms that influence disease progression and prognosis. Cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging, plays a dual role in cancer by contributing to both tumor suppression and tumor promotion through its influence on tumor growth, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and response to therapy. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of senescence-related gene expression in lung cancer using three independent gene signatures, including the SenMayo gene set and two additional curated lists. Transcriptomic and clinical data from publicly available datasets were analyzed using Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and multivariate modeling. All three senescence signatures were significantly associated with overall survival, with the SenMayo signature showing the most robust and consistent prognostic power. Notably, higher expression of senescence-associated genes was associated with improved survival in the overall lung cancer cohort and in lung adenocarcinoma, while a more heterogeneous pattern emerged in squamous cell carcinoma. Although hazard ratios varied among the gene sets, their broadly concordant associations with clinical outcomes highlight the biological relevance and context dependence of senescence in lung cancer. These findings suggest that senescence-associated gene expression may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker and offer mechanistic insights into tumor behavior. Our results contribute to the growing body of gero-oncology research and emphasize the need for tumor-specific exploration of aging-related processes in cancer.","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"99 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145153453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GeroSciencePub Date : 2025-09-27DOI: 10.1007/s11357-025-01909-x
Tanja Louise Ibsen,Ekaterina Zotcheva,Sverre Bergh,Debby Gerritsen,Gill Livingston,Hilde Lurås,Svenn-Erik Mamelund,Anne Marie Mork Rokstad,Bjørn Heine Strand,Richard C Oude Voshaar,Geir Selbæk
{"title":"Cognitive function, physical function, and mental health in older adults amid reduced primary and specialist healthcare service use during COVID-19: the HUNT study.","authors":"Tanja Louise Ibsen,Ekaterina Zotcheva,Sverre Bergh,Debby Gerritsen,Gill Livingston,Hilde Lurås,Svenn-Erik Mamelund,Anne Marie Mork Rokstad,Bjørn Heine Strand,Richard C Oude Voshaar,Geir Selbæk","doi":"10.1007/s11357-025-01909-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01909-x","url":null,"abstract":"COVID-19 containment measures reduced older adults' healthcare access, with uncertain long-term effects on cognitive, physical, and mental health. To investigate whether reductions in primary and specialist healthcare service use during the pandemic were associated with changes in cognitive, physical, and mental health in community-dwelling older adults, with attention to sex differences. Data from the Norwegian Trøndelag Health Study collected before (HUNT4 70 + , 2017-2019) and after the pandemic (HUNT AiT, 2021-2023) included 5387 participants (53% women) aged 70 + . Propensity score matching, accounting for baseline confounders, was used to examine associations between reduced healthcare service use and cognitive, physical, and mental health changes from pre- to post-pandemic. Reduced contact with general practitioners was associated with greater cognitive decline among women (MoCa-change - 0.32 [95% CI - 0.62, - 0.32]). No differences were observed in physical or mental health. Reductions in other primary care services (e.g., in-home nursing, practical assistance) were associated with greater decline in cognitive function (MoCa-change - 0.94 [- 1.53, - 0.36]), particularly among men (MoCa-change - 2.12 [- 3.13, - 1.11]). Men also had a decline in physical function (SPPB-change - 1.06 [- 1.79, - 0.33]). No differences in mental health were observed. Reductions in specialist healthcare services were unrelated to health changes in the overall sample but linked to improved physical function in women (SPPB-change 0.32 [0.11, 0.53]). Although associations between reduced healthcare service use during the pandemic and cognitive, physical, and mental health were limited, findings highlight the importance of sustaining access to primary care for older adults during public health crises.Trial registration The study is pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov 02.02.2021, with the identification number NCT04792086.","PeriodicalId":12730,"journal":{"name":"GeroScience","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145153455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}