Telomere Length and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Vascular Brain Injury and Central Brain Atrophy: The Strong Heart Study.
Am J Epidemiol
; 187(6): 1231-1239, 2018 06 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29860472
ABSTRACT
Telomeres are repeating regions of DNA that cap chromosomes. They shorten over the mammalian life span, especially in the presence of oxidative stress and inflammation. Telomeres may play a direct role in cell senescence, serving as markers of premature vascular aging. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) may be associated with premature vascular brain injury and cerebral atrophy. However, reports have been inconsistent, especially among minority populations with a heavy burden of illness related to vascular aging. We examined associations between LTL and magnetic resonance imaging in 363 American Indians aged 64-93 years from the Strong Heart Study (1989-1991) and its ancillary study, Cerebrovascular Disease and Its Consequences in American Indians (2010-2013). Our results showed significant associations of LTL with ventricular enlargement and the presence of white matter hyperintensities. Secondary models indicated that renal function may mediate these associations, although small case numbers limited inference. Hypertension and diabetes showed little evidence of effect modification. Results were most extreme among participants who evinced the largest decline in LTL. Although this study was limited to cross-sectional comparisons, it represents (to our knowledge) the first consideration of associations between telomere length and brain aging in American Indians. Findings suggest a relationship between vascular aging by cell senescence and severity of brain disease.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Encéfalo
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Indígenas Norte-Americanos
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Traumatismo Cerebrovascular
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Homeostase do Telômero
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Epidemiol
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article