Authors: Ramin Farzaneh-Far, Jue Lin, Elissa Epel, Kyle Lapham, Elizabeth Blackburn, Mary A. Whooley
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008612
Abstract Summary
Study of 608 coronary artery disease patients reveals telomeres don’t just shorten—they can lengthen too. Over 5 years, 45% showed shortening, 32% maintenance, and 23% lengthening. Baseline telomere length was the strongest predictor of change, suggesting biological feedback mechanisms. Age, male sex, and abdominal obesity also predicted shortening, offering potential intervention targets.
Why Brain? đź§
First study tracking telomere changes in heart disease patients over time, revealing that telomeres can lengthen or shorten, influenced by age, sex, and obesity—opening new aging research avenues.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
