Work

Telomere Length and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Participants From Communities Underrepresented in Aging Research: A Preliminary Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: Accelerated biological aging is a plausible and modifiable determinant of dementia burden facing minoritized communities, but is not well-studied in these historically underrepresented populations. Our objective was to preliminarily characterize relationships between telomere length and cognitive health among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Black/African American (B/AA) middle-aged and older adults. Methods: This study included data on telomere length and cognitive test performance from 187 participants, enrolled in one of two community-based cognitive aging cohorts and who identified their primary race as AI/AN or B/AA. Results: Nested multivariable regression models revealed preliminary evidence for associations between telomere length and cognitive performance, and these associations were partially independent of chronological age. Discussion: Small sample size limited estimate precision, however, findings suggest future work on telomere length and cognitive health in underrepresented populations at high risk for dementia is feasible and valuable as a foundation for social and behavioral intervention research.

Source: Journal of Aging and Health

DOI: 10.1177/08982643251331260