Telomere length and cognitive function in southern Chinese community-dwelling male elders

• Published in: Age and ageing Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 450 - 455
• Main Authors: Ma, Suk Ling, Lau, Edmond S S, Suen, Eddie W C, Lam, Linda Chiu Wa, Leung, Ping Chung, Woo, Jean, Tang, Nelson L S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01-07-2013; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Age; Age Factors; Aged; Aged men; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Aging - genetics; Aging - psychology; Asian people; Attrition; Biological markers; Cognition; Cognition & reasoning; Cognition disorders in old age; Cognitive functioning; Community living; Dementia; Demographic aspects; Elderly men; Genetic aspects; Geriatric cognitive disorders; Health aspects; Hong Kong; Humans; Independent Living; Linear Models; Male; Measurement; Men; Mental Recall; Older people; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychological aspects; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sex Factors; Telomerase; Telomere - metabolism; Telomere Shortening; Telomeres; Verbal Behavior; Hong Kong; China; China, People's Rep., Hong Kong; older people; genetics; cognitive decline; elderly; telomeres
• ISSN: 0002-0729; 1468-2834
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/aft036

telomere attrition has been associated with an increased risk of different age-related diseases and is widely accepted as a marker of cellular ageing. On the other hand, it is well known that cognitive function declines with age. The telomere length may therefore act as a marker for the pathway associated with cognitive function.
we examined telomere length and cognitive functions in a community-dwelling Chinese male population aged 65 years and above living in Hong Kong. The telomere length was measured by quantitative real-time PCR in 976 men. Cognitive function was assessed by Chinese (Cantonese) version of Mini-Mental State Exam and Community Screening Interview for Dementia.
our result showed there was a significant association between telomere length, delayed recall (P = 0.007) and category verbal fluency (P = 0.048). These associations remained significant after adjustment for age and education. Further analysis using a cut-off score for MMSE, three-item recall and word list generation tests suggested that the telomere length was positively correlated with performance in these areas (P = 0.015).
the findings support the association of telomere length and cognitive function and suggested that the telomere length may serve as a biological marker for cognitive decline.