Express method for assessing biological age and the rate of aging of the human nervous system

Determining the biological age of the nervous system (BA NS) is crucial for assessing the degree of age-related changes in the body, the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, diagnosing accelerated aging, and monitoring the effectiveness of potential geroprotective interventions.The aim of the study was to develop a simple method for determining BA NS based on psychomotor test indicators, static balancing, and heart rate variability (HRV).Materials and methods. A total of 205 relatively healthy individuals aged 20 to 80 years were examined. HRV analysis was conducted by recording ECG for 5 minutes using the DiaCard ECG recorder (Solvaig, Ukraine). Psychomotor tests included the «Schulte Test,» «Tapping Test,» «Reaction Time Test,» and «Static Balancing Test.» Statistical data analysis was performed using the Statistica 7 software (Stat Soft, USA), employing variation and regression analysis methods. BA NS models were calculated using the linear multiple regression method.Results. Indicators from psychomotor tests, static balancing, and overall heart rate variability (SDNN) were selected for the BA NS model. The determination coefficient of the model was R2 = 0.463, and Fisher’s criterion was F = 35.31 (p < 0.001), indicating the high statistical significance of the model. After correcting for systematic error in the age regression equation, the determination coefficient of the model was R2 = 0.823 (p < 0.00001), with an absolute age calculation error of 4.73 ± 3.51 years. Conclusions. The obtained formula for calculating BA NS has sufficient accuracy and is based on simple and accessible tests commonly used in medical practice. The developed BA model can be used for rapid screening to select individuals with accelerated NS aging for further examination using more complex instrumental and laboratory methods.Key words: biological age, nervous system, mathematical model.