Article
Cell Biology
Jeong-Hwa Jin, Hyuk Sung Kwon, Seong Hye Choi, Seong-Ho Koh, Eun-Hye Lee, Jee Hyang Jeong, Jae-Won Jang, Kyung Won Park, Eun-Joo Kim, Hee Jin Kim, Jin Yong Hong, Soo Jin Yoon, Bora Yoon, Hyun-Hee Park, Jungsoon Ha, Jong Eun Park, Myung Hoon Han
Summary: This study found a relationship between sleep parameters and longitudinal shortening of leukocyte telomere length (LTL). Poor sleep quality, specifically short sleep duration, long sleep latency, and low sleep efficiency were associated with faster longitudinal shortening of LTL.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Racha Ghoussaini, Hani Tamim, Martine Elbejjani, Maha Makki, Lara Nasreddine, Hussain Ismaeel, Mona P. P. Nasrallah, Nathalie K. K. Zgheib
Summary: This longitudinal study found that age, gender, and baseline C-peptide level were associated with telomere shortening, indicating the potential role of metabolic dysregulation in early aging. Further understanding and addressing high C-peptide levels are important for preventing premature aging.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Judith E. Carroll, Richard Olmstead, Reina Haque, Michael R. Irwin
Summary: Depression history and the number of depressive episodes are associated with accelerated biological aging in breast cancer survivors.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dries S. Martens, Charlotte Van der Stukken, Catherine Derom, Evert Thiery, Esm Ee M. Bijnens, Tim S. Nawrot
Summary: The study found that there is a correlation between telomere length at birth and later in life in both children and adults. The ranking of telomere length tends to be stable over time, indicating the importance of understanding the initial setting of newborn telomere length and its significance for later life. Additionally, longer maternal telomere length is associated with lower telomere attrition in the next generation.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sara Pudas, Maria Josefsson, Annelie Nordin Adolfsson, Mattias Landfors, Karolina Kauppi, Line Marie Veng-Taasti, Magnus Hultdin, Rolf Adolfsson, Sofie Degerman
Summary: Shorter baseline LTL is associated with subsequent memory decline, but intra-individual changes in LTL may not be as informative of cognitive outcomes in aging. Long-term longitudinal evaluation of outcomes in biomarker research is essential.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bianca Laura Cinicola, Giulia Brindisi, Martina Capponi, Alessandra Gori, Lorenzo Loffredo, Giovanna De Castro, Caterina Anania, Alberto Spalice, Cristiana Alessia Guido, Cinzia Milito, Marzia Duse, Isabella Quinti, Federica Pulvirenti, Anna Maria Zicari
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of allergy in pediatric SIgAD patients, and the association between allergy and other comorbidities. The results showed that allergy was the second-most-common clinical manifestation in SIgAD patients, but allergic patients did not differ significantly from non-allergic patients in terms of immune phenotype, number and severity of infections, or increased autoimmunity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannah Froy, Sarah L. Underwood, Jennifer Dorrens, Luise A. Seeker, Kathryn Watt, Rachael V. Wilbourn, Jill G. Pilkington, Lea Harrington, Josephine M. Pemberton, Daniel H. Nussey
Summary: The study found that in wild Soay sheep, there was no significant association between telomere length and subsequent survival, suggesting that telomere length is not an important marker of biological aging or exposure to environmental stress in this study system. Instead, individual differences in average telomere length were associated with increased lifespan, indicating a genetic basis for this correlation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anthony Lagnado, Jack Leslie, Marie-Helene Ruchaud-Sparagano, Stella Victorelli, Petra Hirsova, Mikolaj Ogrodnik, Amy L. Collins, Maria Grazia Vizioli, Leena Habiballa, Gabriele Saretzki, Shane A. Evans, Hanna Salmonowicz, Adam Hruby, Daniel Geh, Kevin D. Pavelko, David Dolan, Helen L. Reeves, Sushma Grellscheid, Colin H. Wilson, Sanjay Pandanaboyana, Madison Doolittle, Thomas von Zglinicki, Fiona Oakley, Suchira Gallage, Caroline L. Wilson, Jodie Birch, Bernadette Carroll, James Chapman, Mathias Heikenwalder, Nicola Neretti, Sundeep Khosla, Claudio Akio Masuda, Tamar Tchkonia, James L. Kirkland, Diana Jurk, Derek A. Mann, Joao F. Passos
Summary: The research shows that neutrophils cause oxidative damage to telomeres in non-immune cells, promoting cellular senescence. In aged liver, senescent cells recruit neutrophils, potentially leading to the spread of senescence.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alberto Ortega-Vazquez, Salvador Sanchez-Badajos, Miguel Angel Ramirez-Garcia, Diana Alvarez-Luquin, Marisol Lopez-Lopez, Laura Virginia Adalid-Peralta, Nancy Monroy-Jaramillo
Summary: This study measured mtDNA-CN and TL in PBMCs of PD patients and found shorter TL in patients compared to controls at all time points, while mtDNA-CN showed no differences. Treated patients had increased mtDNA-CN and TL, and there was a strong correlation between TL and mtDNA-CN. IL-17A levels were positively correlated with mtDNA-CN only in untreated patients.
Article
Cell Biology
Abraham Aviv
Summary: Approximately 25 trillion erythrocytes circulate in the bloodstream of an adult human, outnumbering leukocytes by a factor of about 1000. The turnover rate of erythrocytes accounts for approximately 76% of the turnover rate of all circulating blood cells. Therefore, erythropoiesis is the main factor causing telomere shortening in hematopoietic cells, which has significant implications for understanding the relationship between telomere length dynamics, health, and lifespan in modern humans.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alla Kalmykova
Summary: The stability of telomeres plays a crucial role in maintaining genome integrity across generations. Telomere dysfunction can lead to changes in cell fate, regardless of telomere length. The multiple tandem repeats in telomeres have the potential for recombination. Telomere stability requires heterochromatin formation, transcriptional repression, suppression of homologous recombination, and chromosome end protection. Genetic and epigenetic defects affecting telomere homeostasis can cause length-independent internal telomeric DNA damage. Telomeres, regardless of their length, serve as primary sensors of genome instability and can trigger cell death or developmental arrest. Telomeric RNAs have been found to play a signaling role in cell fate and early development. The telomere checkpoint mechanism ensures genome stability but accelerates the aging process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Alexandra C. Purdue-Smithe, Keewan Kim, Victoria C. Andriessen, Anna Z. Pollack, Lindsey A. Sjaarda, Robert M. Silver, Enrique F. Schisterman, Sunni L. Mumford
Summary: This study examined whether preconception leukocyte telomere length was associated with fecundability, pregnancy loss, and live birth among women with a history of 1-2 prior pregnancy losses trying to conceive naturally. The results indicated that there was no significant association between preconception telomere length and these pregnancy outcomes.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Xiao Wei, Heng Liu, Li Yang, Zihan Gao, Jinke Kuang, Kexin Zhou, Mengfan Xu
Summary: This study examined the bidirectional relationship between physical function and cognition, and found that lower physical function at baseline was associated with cognitive decline, while cognitive decline over time also affected physical function deterioration.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Aenne S. von Falkenhausen, Rebecca Freudling, Melanie Waldenberger, Christian Gieger, Annette Peters, Martina Mueller-Nurasyid, Stefan Kaeaeb, Moritz F. Sinner
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between ECG measures and telomere length, as well as their relationship with cardiac pathologies. The results showed that while ECG measures were influenced by age, they were not associated with shortened telomere length as a marker of biological aging.
Article
Cell Biology
Jennia Michaeli, Riham Smoom, Noa Serruya, Hosniyah El Ayoubi, Keren Rotshenker-Olshinka, Naama Srebnik, Ofir Michaeli, Talia Eldar-Geva, Yehuda Tzfati
Summary: The current trend of delayed reproduction in society calls for a better understanding of reproductive aging. This study found that longer leukocyte telomere length may be associated with higher oocyte quality and can serve as a potential biomarker for assessing reproductive potential.
Article
Ophthalmology
Graham A. Wilson, Kirsten Cheyne, Sandhya Ramrakha, Antony Ambler, Gavin S. W. Tan, Avshalom Caspi, Ben Williams, Karen Sugden, Renate Houts, Rachael L. Niederer, Tien Yin Wong, Terrie E. Moffitt, Richie Poulton
Summary: This study investigated whether macular drusen in midlife are associated with accelerated biological ageing. The results showed no significant association between macular drusen and the pace of ageing or facial ageing.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPTOMETRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Richie Poulton, Hayley Guiney, Sandhya Ramrakha, Terrie E. Moffitt
Summary: This article reflects on the work of the Dunedin Study researchers over the past 50 years and provides insights into future developments. It highlights the historical roots and principles that have contributed to their success, as well as showcasing impactful research in the behavioral, oral health, and respiratory domains. The challenges faced during the study and how they were overcome are also discussed. The article emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the contribution of the study participants and their families.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kyle J. Bourassa, Terrie E. Moffitt, HonaLee Harrington, Renate Houts, Richie Poulton, Sandhya Ramrakha, Line J. H. Rasmussen, Jasmin Wertz, Avshalom Caspi
Summary: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poorer health in midlife, and psychosocial factors play an important role in this association. Stressful life events, perceived stress, negative emotionality, and health behaviors mediate the relationship between childhood ACEs and health outcomes in middle-aged adults. Public health efforts can focus on reducing stressful life events, negative emotionality, perceived stress, and improving health behaviors to mitigate the health consequences of ACEs.
PREVENTION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Roy Lay-Yee, Timothy Matthews, Terrie Moffitt, Richie Poulton, Avshalom Caspi, Barry Milne
Summary: This study examines the relationship between social isolation and mental health outcomes in mid-adulthood. The findings suggest that adult-only social isolation is associated with suicide, depression, and suicide ideation, while child-only social isolation is only associated with depression. Persistent child-adult social isolation is closely related to depression in mid-adulthood.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Line C. Gjerde, Espen Moen Eilertsen, Tom A. McAdams, Rosa Cheesman, Terrie E. Moffitt, Avshalom Caspi, Thalia C. Eley, Espen Roysamb, Tom H. Rosenstrom, Eivind Ystrom
Summary: This study investigated the joint factor structure of psychopathology and personality in eight-year-old children. The results showed that correlations between normative and pathological traits mostly reflect one heritable and psychometrically interpretable factor. Furthermore, the association between the factor and low gestational age indicates the need for further study of early developmental mechanisms.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Joanne B. Newbury, Louise Arseneault, Terrie E. Moffitt, Candice L. Odgers, Laura D. Howe, Ioannis Bakolis, Aaron Reuben, Andrea Danese, Karen Sugden, Benjamin Williams, Line J. H. Rasmussen, Antonella Trotta, Antony P. Ambler, Helen L. Fisher
Summary: Children exposed to socioenvironmental adversities are more likely to develop subclinical psychotic experiences during adolescence. This association is partly explained by cognitive ability and inflammation.
SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Juan J. Madrid-Valero, Timothy Matthews, Nicola L. Barclay, Candice L. Odgers, Terrie E. Moffitt, Avshalom Caspi, Louise Arseneault, Alice M. Gregory
Summary: Research findings on the association between digital technology use and poor sleep quality in adolescence and young adulthood have been mixed. This study used a genetically informative twin design to investigate this association, finding that adolescents' perceived problematic use of technology is associated with poor sleep quality, even after controlling for familial factors. The study also revealed a substantial genetic correlation between problematic use of technology and sleep quality.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Avshalom Caspi, Renate M. M. Houts, Helen L. L. Fisher, Andrea Danese, Terrie E. E. Moffitt
Summary: Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in the general factor of psychopathology, p. This paper reviews the history of the idea that all mental disorders share something in common, p, and how it is often confused with the bifactor model. The authors utilize data from the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study to examine different statistical representations of p and find that its performance remains consistent regardless of the modeling approach. They suggest that instead of focusing on statistical models, future research should aim to conduct criterion-validation studies and develop new measurement approaches to understand what all mental disorders have in common.
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Gerontology
Yang C. Yang, Christine E. Walsh, Kaitlin Shartle, Rebecca C. Stebbins, Allison E. Aiello, Daniel W. Belsky, Kathleen Mullan Harris, Marianne Chanti-Ketterl, Brenda L. Plassman
Summary: This study fills gaps in research on cognitive decline and social disparities related to aging, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. By analyzing data from four large longitudinal studies spanning two decades, we found that cognitive decline begins in the 4th decade of life, gender differences in decline vary with age, and there are persistent disadvantages among non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, and those with no college education. We also observed improvement in cognitive function among cohorts born in the 20th century, but widening social inequalities in more recent cohorts.
JOURNAL OF AGING AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Ashleigh Barrett-Young, Wickliffe C. Abraham, Carol Y. Cheung, Jesse Gale, Sean Hogan, David Ireland, Ross Keenan, Annchen R. Knodt, Tracy R. Melzer, Terrie E. Moffitt, Sandhya Ramrakha, Yih Chung Tham, Graham A. Wilson, Tien Yin Wong, Ahmad R. Hariri, Richie Poulton
Summary: This study investigates the association between retinal neuronal measurements and structural brain measurements in a middle-aged population-based cohort. The findings suggest that the thinner retinal neuronal layers are associated with older brain age and increased risk for later Alzheimer's disease, indicating that the retina may serve as an early biomarker of brain health.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xu Gao, Tong Geng, Meijie Jiang, Ninghao Huang, Yinan Zheng, Daniel W. Belsky, Tao Huang
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Espen Roysamb, Terrie E. Moffitt, Avshalom Caspi, Eivind Ystrom, Ragnhild Bang Nes
Summary: The major sources of worldwide variability in subjective well-being (SWB) include genetic factors, individual environmental exposures, and shared environments. The worldwide heritability of SWB is estimated to be around 31% to 32%, while individual environmental factors explain 46% to 52% of the variance, and shared environments account for 16% to 23% of the global variance in SWB. Unlike previous within-country studies, this research reveals a significant effect of shared environments, which extends beyond families to a national level.
PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Daniel W. Belsky, Andrea A. Baccarelli
Summary: This research suggests that to achieve health equity in an aging world, it is important to focus on the impact of the environment on aging. Utilizing ideas and tools from the field of geroscience, measuring the pace and progress of aging processes from a young age can help study how changing environments can affect aging trajectories and prevent or delay aging-related diseases and disabilities.
