Published on: Jun 11, 2025
Scientists at Mass General Brigham examined the link between telomere length—protective caps on chromosomes that shorten with age or exposure to harmful environments—and the risk of developing age-related brain disorders. Their findings, published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggest that adopting healthier lifestyle habits may help offset the risks associated with shorter telomeres.
“Reducing modifiable risk factors such as body weight and alcohol intake, along with improving sleep and physical activity, can help reverse the risk of age-related brain diseases—even in individuals already showing signs of biological aging,” said lead author Dr. Tamara Kimball of the Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery at Massachusetts General Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham system. “It’s never too late to start prioritizing brain health.
Aging is a major risk factor for conditions like stroke, dementia, and late-life depression (LLD). Similarly, telomere shortening—accelerated by environmental stressors like pollution and psychological stress—has been linked to DNA damage. This study aimed to determine whether leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is merely a marker or a causal factor in the development of these brain disorders.
Using data from 356,173 participants in the UK Biobank, researchers also applied the McCance Brain Care Score (BCS), a comprehensive measure that incorporates lifestyle, health metrics (e.g., blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol), and social-emotional factors influencing brain disease risk.
Results showed that individuals with both shorter LTLs and lower BCSs faced a higher risk of brain diseases. However, participants with shorter telomeres but higher BCSs—indicating healthier habits—did not experience significantly elevated risk, suggesting that a healthy lifestyle may help counteract telomere-related vulnerabilities.
The study did have limitations: LTL was measured only once, preventing tracking of telomere changes over time, and the analysis included only participants of European ancestry, limiting broader applicability. Still, the research highlights the potential of lifestyle modifications to buffer against the negative brain-health effects of biological aging, opening avenues for future studies on preventive interventions.
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