Review of neuronal and behavioral aging biomarkers linked to physical performance
This review describes neuronal and behavioral biomarkers of aging and disease and how combining them with physical performance measures may help identify older adults at risk of adverse aging trajectories. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review describes neuronal biomarkers from neuroimaging, blood-based and neurovascular markers reflecting neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, vascular dysfunction and impaired resilience. [1]
Behavioral biomarkers listed include gait, mobility, dual-task performance, balance, physical activity, sleep and digital phenotyping. [1]
The review suggests biomarker alterations may precede cognitive decline, frailty, disability and loss of independence by several years, and calls for validating multimodal models. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Review (abstract only)
- Population / context
- Older adults, as described in the review abstract.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 20, 2026
Biomarkers in adults of the same chronological age
The review starts from the idea that aging is heterogeneous: people of the same chronological age differ markedly in biological, cognitive and functional trajectories. It therefore asks which biomarkers could flag early deviations from healthy aging and predict adverse outcomes. The authors describe neuronal biomarkers from neuroimaging, blood-based and neurovascular markers, which reflect processes such as neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, vascular dysfunction and impaired resilience. Behavioral biomarkers include gait, mobility, dual-task performance, balance, physical activity, sleep and digital phenotyping; the review frames these as the functional expression of the underlying biological changes.
Supporting source [1]
Reported timing of biomarker changes before outcomes
According to the review, evidence suggests that alterations in these biomarkers may precede cognitive decline, frailty, disability and loss of independence by several years. The authors propose that integrating neuronal and behavioral biomarkers with measures of physical performance offers a comprehensive framework for identifying people at increased risk of adverse aging trajectories. They link this to precision geroscience approaches aimed at preserving intrinsic capacity, functional ability and healthy aging. These are described as associations and a proposed framework, not as proven causes or established benefits.
Supporting source [1]
Validation of multimodal biomarker models still pending
The review states that future research should focus on validating multimodal biomarker models and their application in clinical and population settings. This makes clear that the combined biomarker framework is a proposal, not a validated tool ready for routine use. The abstract does not report a study design, sample size, follow-up period or effect estimates, so the strength of the underlying evidence cannot be judged from it.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. No study design, sample, follow-up or effect sizes are reported, and the combined biomarker framework is proposed, not validated.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Mimenza-Alvarado AJ, Aguilar-Navarro S, Hernández ME, López-Teros MT. · europepmc.org · August 20, 2026