Background: Subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI) is the most common form of vascular cognitive impairment. Exercise is a potentially effective intervention for SIVCI. However, the mechanisms through which exercise promotes brain health and cognitive function are not well understood. Telomere length restoration and an increased capacity for cellular proliferation may provide a putative mechanism. Therefore, in this exploratory study we aimed to 1) assess the effect of a resistance training program on leukocyte telomere length; and 2) determine whether telomere length and/or change in telomere length is related to intervention response (i.e., change in cognitive function and/or brain structure).
Method: The sample consists of a subset of participants from a 12-month single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02669394). Participants (N = 91) were randomized to twice-weekly resistance training (RT) or an active control group (balance and tone exercises; BAT). Study eligibility included: 1) age 55 years and older; 2) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of cerebral small vessel disease; 3) mild cognitive impairment; and 4) the absence of dementia. We measured participants' leukocyte (blood) telomere length at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months, using a qPCR-based method. The intervention outcomes include cognitive function measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive-Plus (ADAS-Cog-13 with additional cognitive tests) and structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of SIVCI (e.g., white matter hyperintensities).
Result: We have generated telomere length data, demonstrating very good reproducibility with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.853 [0.772, 0.907]. We will present findings that provide novel insights into the usefulness of telomere length as a predictive biomarker for intervention response. Furthermore, our work will contribute to the mechanistic understanding of exercise-induced benefits for cognitive and brain health in SIVCI.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of telomere length in the efficacy of an exercise intervention for vascular cognitive impairment. This could inform the development of personalised interventions and aid the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/alz.090695 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), half of which are lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), is one of the most widely spread cancers in the world. Telomerase, which maintains telomere length and chromosomal integrity, enables cancer cells to avoid replicative senescence. When telomerase is inhibited, cancer cells' senescence began, preventing them from growing indefinitely.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Institute of Public and Preventative Health, Augusta, GA, USA.
Background: Physiological changes, including metabolic and cellular aging, as well as increased inflammation, occur in people living with dementia (PWD). While there is existing evidence in other populations suggesting that exercise may improve physiological outcomes, their impact in PWD remains unclear. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to assess the effects of exercise on serum levels of metabolic aging, cellular aging, and inflammatory blood biomarkers relative to usual care alone in PWD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
University of São Paulo Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Background: The Down Syndrome (DS), also referred to as trisomy of chromosome 21, is a prevalent cause of intellectual disability and also contributes to the acceleration of aging, among other developmental and health concerns. Certain pathological characteristics shared by DS and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) indicate similar commonalities. This study aims to unravel the relationship between the canonical Wnt/pathway, the amyloid precursor protein processing, the telomere shortening in DS individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: People living with dementia (PWD) have upregulated inflammatory pathways, exaggerated metabolic aging, and cellular aging. They also have declines in physical function and heightened fall-risk. Understanding the physiologic factors that influence physical decline and fall-risk in PWD is vital to assess and prevent adverse health outcomes, such as future falls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI) is the most common form of vascular cognitive impairment. Exercise is a potentially effective intervention for SIVCI. However, the mechanisms through which exercise promotes brain health and cognitive function are not well understood.
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