title: Telomere length and cognitive function in southern Chinese community-dwelling male elders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  telomere attrition has been associated with an increased risk of different age-related diseases and is widely accepted as a marker of cellular ageing. On the other hand, it is well known that cognitive function declines with age. The telomere length may therefore act as a marker for the pathway associated with cognitive function.
  
  
  METHODS
  we examined telomere length and cognitive functions in a community-dwelling Chinese male population aged 65 years and above living in Hong Kong. The telomere length was measured by quantitative real-time PCR in 976 men. Cognitive function was assessed by Chinese (Cantonese) version of Mini-Mental State Exam and Community Screening Interview for Dementia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  our result showed there was a significant association between telomere length, delayed recall (P = 0.007) and category verbal fluency (P = 0.048). These associations remained significant after adjustment for age and education. Further analysis using a cut-off score for MMSE, three-item recall and word list generation tests suggested that the telomere length was positively correlated with performance in these areas (P = 0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the findings support the association of telomere length and cognitive function and suggested that the telomere length may serve as a biological marker for cognitive decline.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, G/F, Multi-Centre, Tai Po Hospital Chuen On Road, Tai Po, NT Hong Kong SAR, The People's Republic of China. suklingma@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Suk Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Edmond S S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Eddie W C
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Suen
authors.forename: Linda Chiu Wa
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Ping Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Nelson L S
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D016615:Telomere / Q000378:metabolism*; D059506:Telomere Shortening; D014705:Verbal Behavior
keywords: cognitive decline; elderly; genetics; older people; telomeres