Telomere Length and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Participants From Communities Underrepresented in Aging Research: A Preliminary Study
ObjectiveAccelerated 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.MethodsThis study included data on telomere length and neuropsychological 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.ResultsNested multivariable regression models revealed preliminary evidence for associations between telomere length and cognitive performance, and these associations were partially independent of chronological age.DiscussionSmall 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.
Authors
- Megan Zuelsdorff (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9632-475X)
- Hector Salazar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5184-6996)
- Carey Elizabeth Gleason (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6210-4671)
- Taryn T. James (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6843-8653)
- Derek Norton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2554-5499)
- Stacy S. Drury (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5950-0091)
- Reid S. Alisch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0637-4137)
- Diane C. Gooding (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0498-9472)
- Kirk J. Hogan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6329-2651)
- Lauren W. Y. McLester‐Davis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3504-5244)
- Ligia A. Papale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6457-0358)
- Sanjay Asthana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3298-6324)
- Sterling C. Johnson
- Trevor R. Roy
Institutions
- Tulane University (US)
- Boston Children's Hospital (US)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- University of Pittsburgh (US)
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (US)
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (US)
- Neurological Surgery (US)
- Native American Health Center (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Aging and Health
- Published
- 2025-04-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643251331260
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.95
Funders
- National Institute on Aging