Telomere shortening in T lymphocytes of older individuals with Down syndrome and dementia.
Telomere shortening has been recently correlated with Alzheimer's disease status. Therefore, we hypothesized that a possible association might exist for adults with Down syndrome (DS). Using blind, quantitative telomere protein nucleic acid FISH analyses of metaphase and interphase preparations from 18 age-matched trisomy 21 female study participants with and without dementia, we have observed increased telomere shortening in adults with DS and dementia (p < .01). From this initial study, we conclude that telomere shortening is associated with dementia in this high-risk population and suggest that additional research may show that telomere shortening may be a biological marker of dementia status.
Jenkins
Edmund C
EC
New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA. Ed.Jenkins@omr.state.ny.us
Velinov
Milen T
MT
Ye
Lingling
L
Gu
Hong
H
Li
Shuyun
S
Jenkins
Edmund C
EC
Brooks
Susan Sklower
SS
Pang
Deborah
D
Devenny
Darlynne A
DA
Zigman
Warren B
WB
Schupf
Nicole
N
Silverman
Wayne P
WP
D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D003704:Dementia / Q000235:genetics*; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007399:Interphase / Q000235:genetics; D008677:Metaphase / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*
D005819:Genetic Markers