Study Suggests Molecular Connection Between 9/11 and Aging Speed

WHO:

Fox News - Benjamin Luft, director and principal investigator at the Stony Brook WTC Wellness Program, led the study.

Fox News - 393 World Trade Center responders participated in the study.

Fox News - 232 responders were diagnosed with PTSD, while 161 were not.

WHAT:

Fox News - The study found that PTSD is associated with molecular changes linked to accelerated biological aging and a higher risk of chronic disease.

Fox News - Researchers detected significant differences in 114 proteins and seven metabolites between responders with PTSD and those without.

Fox News - Signs of accelerated biological aging were reported in multiple organs, including the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs, among responders with PTSD.

NY Post - The discoveries could help explain the increased risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, cognitive decline, and other age-related illnesses among those with long-term PTSD.

WHERE:

Fox News - The study was conducted at Stony Brook University in New York.

WHEN:

Fox News - Blood samples were collected approximately 18 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Fox News - The study was published in Nature Communications.

WHY:

Fox News - The study aims to provide new insights into the long-term physical health effects of PTSD.

Fox News - The findings suggest that traumatic experiences can produce lasting biological changes that persist for decades.

HOW:

Fox News - Blood samples were analyzed to identify molecular changes associated with PTSD and biological aging.

Fox News - The study was funded in part by the CDC, the National Institute for Occupational Safety, and the National Institutes of Health.

(UPDATED June 30, 2026 17:41 UTC)

A new study led by Benjamin Luft at Stony Brook University has revealed that PTSD among World Trade Center responders is linked to molecular changes that may accelerate biological aging and increase the risk of chronic diseases. Involving 393 responders, the research found significant differences in proteins and metabolites between those diagnosed with PTSD and those without, highlighting concerning signs of accelerated aging in vital organs. These discoveries, published in Nature Communications, could help explain the heightened risk of conditions like heart disease and cognitive decline in individuals suffering from long-term PTSD.