What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to investigate the relationship between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs).

February 13, 2026Journal of Neurology0 citationsOpen Access

Association between leukocyte telomere length and neurodegenerative diseases: a prospective cohort in the UK Biobank

XCXiangting Chen YHYueqing HuangSuzhou Municipal Hospital CZChunhua ZhaoSuzhou Municipal Hospital

Key Points

This research aims to investigate the relationship between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs).
Utilized data from the UK Biobank cohort
Analyzed the association between LTL and various NDDs
Employed machine learning models for risk prediction
Shorter LTL correlated with increased risk of several neurodegenerative diseases
Longer LTL unexpectedly linked to elevated risk of multiple sclerosis, especially in younger individuals
Machine learning models showed strong predictive capability for assessing NDD risk

Abstract

Shorter LTL increased the risk of several NDDs, while longer LTL paradoxically predisposed individuals to MS, especially in younger populations. ML models demonstrated strong potential for predicting NDD risks, enhancing our understanding of the role of telomeres in neurodegeneration.

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