McLester-Davis, L. W. Y. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2024

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 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. 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.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Method comparison studies of telomere length measurement using qPCR approaches: a critical appraisal of the literature

Use of telomere length (TL) as a biomarker for various environmental exposures and diseases has increased in recent years. Various methods have been developed to measure telomere length. PCR-based methods remain wide-spread for population-based studies due to the high-throughput capability. While several studies have evaluated TL measurement methods, the results have been variable. We conducted a literature review of TL measurement cross-method comparison studies that included a PCR-based method published between January 1, 2002 and May 25, 2020. A total of 25 articles were found that matched the inclusion criteria. Papers were reviewed for quality of methodologic reporting of sample and DNA quality, PCR assay characteristics, sample blinding, and analytic approaches to determine final TL. Overall, methodologic reporting was low as assessed by two different reporting guidelines for qPCR-based TL measurement. There was a wide range in the reported correlation between methods (as assessed by Pearsons r) and few studies utilized the recommended intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for assessment of assay repeatability and methodologic comparisons. The sample size for nearly all studies was less than 100, raising concerns about statistical power. Overall, this review found that the current literature on the relation between TL measurement methods is lacking in validity and scientific rigor. In light of these findings, we present reporting guidelines for PCR-based TL measurement methods and results of analyses of the effect of assay repeatability (ICC) on statistical power of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Additional cross-laboratory studies with rigorous methodologic and statistical reporting, adequate sample size, and blinding are essential to accurately determine assay repeatability and replicability as well as the relation between TL measurement methods.

molecular biology↗