Combined Impact of Telomere Length and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number on Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Very Old Adults

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2017;44(3-4):232-243. doi: 10.1159/000480427. Epub 2017 Oct 6.

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the combined impact of telomere length and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number on cognitive function in community-dwelling very old adults.

Methods: In total, 186 subjects over 75 years participated in this study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, and leukocyte telomere length and mtDNA copy number were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction methods.

Results: Both the fourth quartile of telomere length and mtDNA copy number were associated with cognitive dysfunction with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.23 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.10-0.75) and 0.18 (95% CI, 0.03-0.54), respectively. Participants in the high telomere length/high mtDNA copy number group were more likely to have cognitive dysfunction than participants in the low telomere/low mtDNA copy number group with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.19 (95% CI, 0.07-0.58).

Conclusion: Our results collectively suggest that the combination of telomere length and mtDNA copy number may be useful for monitoring cognitive decline in older adults.

Keywords: Aging; Cognitive decline; Mitochondrial DNA copy number; Telomere length; Very old adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnosis
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / genetics*
  • DNA Copy Number Variations / genetics*
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Telomere Homeostasis / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial