Cellular senescence marker and brain structure in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder
In this abstract, a composite senescence-linked blood marker was higher in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder than in healthy controls, but it was not linked to brain-predicted age difference; in schizophrenia only, it was negatively associated with surface area in two brain regions. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The SASP index was significantly elevated in both schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. [1]
No significant associations were observed between SASP indices and brain-predicted age difference in any diagnostic group. [1]
In schizophrenia, SASP indices were negatively associated with surface area of the left transverse temporal gyrus and the right inferior frontal gyrus pars triangularis. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Cross-sectional study comparing diagnostic groups (abstract).
- Population / context
- 119 participants: 29 with schizophrenia, 40 with major depressive disorder and 50 healthy controls, all with blood collection and MRI.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Publication status
- Preprint · peer-review status not confirmed
- Original publication
- October 14, 2026
Senescence marker and brain structure across three groups
The researchers asked whether a composite blood-based senescence marker, the SASP index, is elevated in schizophrenia (SZ) and major depressive disorder (MDD), and whether it relates to brain structure. The abstract notes that accelerated biological aging has been discussed in both conditions and that the index was already reported elevated in MDD, while its status in SZ and its link to brain structure were unclear.
Supporting source [1]
Blood marker and MRI in 119 participants
A total of 119 people took part: 29 with SZ, 40 with MDD and 50 healthy controls (HCs). All underwent peripheral blood collection and MRI scanning. The team first compared the SASP index between diagnostic groups across all subjects. Then, within each group, they examined associations between age-adjusted SASP indices and brain-predicted age difference (brain-PAD). Exploratory analyses tested links between SASP indices and subcortical volumes, cortical thickness and surface area in each group.
Supporting source [1]
Higher index in SZ and MDD, localized brain links in SZ
The diagnostic group had a significant main effect on SASP indices, and the index was significantly elevated in both SZ and MDD. No significant associations appeared between SASP indices and brain-PAD in any group. In SZ, however, negative associations were found between SASP indices and the surface area of the left transverse temporal gyrus and the right inferior frontal gyrus pars triangularis. The authors suggest SASP-related processes may contribute to the neural underpinnings of SZ through localized rather than global brain alterations. These are associations, not causes.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports no follow-up, effect sizes or adjustment details, and the brain analyses beyond brain-PAD are described as exploratory. Associations do not show causation.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Okada N, Seitz-Holland J, Ikegame T, Omileke F, Kiyota M, Shoji E, Mori S, Morita S, Koshiyama D, Satomura Y, Koike S, JINDE S, Yagishita S, Kamiya K, Abe O, Shenton M, Kubicki M, Kasai K. · europepmc.org · October 14, 2026