Accelerated biological aging may increase risk of dementia, stroke
A hallmark of accelerated aging appears to be linked to an increased risk of dementia and stroke, a new study says.
Shorter telomere length in a person's white blood cells is associated with the two brain diseases, researchers reported Wednesday in the journal Neurology.
However, the link was not found in people with healthy lifestyle habits, researchers added.
"Our findings support the potential benefits of working to improve your risk factors such as maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and getting enough sleep and exercise in reducing the risk of age-related brain disease even in people who are already showing signs of damaging biological aging," senior researcher Dr. Christopher Anderson, an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, said in a news release.
Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Often compared to the plastic tips at the ends of shoelaces, telomeres serve a similar function -- preventing chromosomes from unravelling.
Telomeres shorten every time cells divide, making them useful in estimating a person's biological age, researchers said. Biological age reflects wear-and-tear from the stresses the body endures over time, and can differ greatly from the chronological age reflected by a person's birthday.
For this study, researchers analyzed genetic data for more than 356,000 people participating in UK Biobank, a large-scale health study in England, Scotland and Wales.
Researchers divided the participants into three groups based on whether telomeres in their white blood cells (leukocytes) were short, medium or long.
The team then compared telomere length to each person's lifestyle habits, as well as whether they'd developed dementia, stroke or depression.
During an average seven years of follow-up, nearly 26,000 people developed at least one of these three age-related brain diseases.
People with the shortest telomeres had 5.8 cases of the three brain diseases per 1,000 person-years, compared to 3.9 cases per 1,000 for those with the longest telomeres. Person-years reflect both the number of people in a study and the amount of time each person spends in a study.
Overall, people with short telomeres were 11% more likely to develop one of the brain diseases, after accounting for other risk factors, results show.
They specifically had an 8% increased risk of stroke, 19% increased risk of dementia, and 14% increased risk of late-life dementia, the study says.
However, people with short telomeres didn't have an increased risk if they made healthier lifestyle choices, like eating a good diet and exercising regularly, researchers found.
"These results suggest that healthy lifestyle behaviors could delay the aging of our cells and reduce the frequency of these diseases, especially in people who are greater risk," Anderson said.
Researchers noted that the study can't show a direct cause-and-effect link between telomere length and brain health, only an association between the two.
More information
The University of Utah has more about telomeres and biological aging.
Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
How To Know if You've Had a ‘Silent Stroke,' According to Neurologists
How To Know if You've Had a 'Silent Stroke,' According to Neurologists originally appeared on Parade. Considering that every one in six people has a neurological disorder, research on brain health is more important than ever. To learn more about how to more effectively prevent and treat conditions that impact the brain, the Cleveland Clinic has embarked on the largest brain health study to date. The study is collecting data over 20 years to identify biomarkers and targets for preventing and curing brain diseases and includes 3,857 people. In some of the healthy people who are undergoing brain scans as part of the study, researchers found that some of them have had a "silent stroke," which completely went under the radar when it can a stroke be silent and if it is, how can you know if you had one? Here, neurologists share what you need to know, including subtle symptoms and whether silent strokes are detrimental to brain health or not.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 Dr. Ken Uchino, MD,a stroke neurologist at the Cerebrovascular Center at the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic, explains that there are two types of strokes: ischemic and blockage. He explains that 80% of strokes are ischemic, meaning they occur when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. A blockage stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes completely blocked. In both cases, brain cells die due to lack of oxygen and nutrients.'A silent stroke occurs when brain cells die, but the person does not have obvious symptoms, like slurred speech or paralysis. People often find out they have had a silent stroke when they get a brain scan for another reason,' says Dr. Mill Etienne, MD, an Associate Professor of Neurology at New York Medical Dr. Uchino also says that silent strokes don't have any noticeable symptoms; that's why they are referred to as 'silent.' Like Dr. Etienne, Dr. Uchino says that, typically, the only way someone knows they had a silent stroke is because they got an MRI or CT scan for another reason (perhaps they hit their head, for example) and it shows up in the scan. The scan, however, cannot indicate when someone had a silent stroke; it only shows that one occurred. Even though silent strokes aren't detectable in the moment, often someone can look back and realize there were signs they may have missed. Dr. Jeffrey N. Quinn, MD, a vascular neurologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, an affiliate of Cedars Sinai Medical Center, says that silent strokes can be accompanied by abrupt memory dysfunction or changes in levels of cognition, social or motor function. Related: Dr. Etienne adds that brain fog, trouble concentrating and memory problems can also be a sign that someone has experienced a silent stroke. But because these symptoms can be caused by so many other factors, it's important to get a CT scan or MRI to truly know if a silent stroke occurred. Certainly, if someone learns from a brain imaging test that they had a silent stroke, it's alarming. But Dr. Uchino says not to freak out. 'Silent strokes are not uncommon. 10% of people in their 60s are found to have had a silent stroke according to MRI scans and that number goes up to 40% of people in their 80s,' he Uchino adds that the brain has a level of resilience and can overcome silent strokes. When a stroke is significant enough to cause damage to the brain, it will not be silent; you will notice the symptoms. All three doctors say that experiencing a silent stroke does increase the risk of having another stroke (that isn't silent) in the future, but Dr. Uchino emphasizes that the overall likelihood of having another stroke is still low. Related: If you are experiencing any new symptoms that are leading you to believe you had a silent stroke, all three neurologists say it's important to see your healthcare provider. If scans show that you did have a silent stroke, the doctors agree that it's important to change any unhealthy diet and lifestyle habits that are putting you at risk. This includes following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Dr. Etienne says that your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to lower your risk of having another stroke as well. 'I generally see silent strokes as a warning that a bigger stroke may be on the horizon,' he explains. 'That is why it is important to detect these silent strokes. This would prompt the medical provider to check your carotid arteries and other arteries, evaluate your heart and look for all the possible causes of the silent stroke. It is also important to note that the accumulation of silent strokes can also lead to certain types of dementia.' Whether you've had a silent stroke in the past or not, there are ways to lower your risk of ever experiencing one. Dr. Wengui Yu, MD, PhD, a Professor of Clinical Neurology and the Director of the UCI Health Comprehensive Stroke Center, says this includes not using tobacco, minimizing alcohol use, keeping cholesterol in a healthy range, and avoiding diabetes and hypertension by having healthy diet and lifestyle habits in place. When it comes to brain health, it's helpful to focus on what you can control—which is a lot! A silent stroke is a signal to make a more conscious effort to prioritize your health. Taking action will lower your risk of experiencing another stroke in the future, silent or otherwise. Up Next: Dr. Ken Uchino, MD, stroke neurologist at the Cerebrovascular Center at Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic Dr. Mill Etienne, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at New York Medical College Dr. Jeffrey N. Quinn, MD, vascular neurologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, an affiliate of Cedars Sinai Medical Center Dr. Wengui Yu, MD, PhD, Professor of Clinical Neurology and the Director of the UCI Health Comprehensive Stroke Center How To Know if You've Had a 'Silent Stroke,' According to Neurologists first appeared on Parade on Jun 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Press Release: Riliprubart granted orphan drug designation in Japan for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Riliprubart granted orphan drug designation in Japan for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy Two phase 3 studies are currently underway testing riliprubart in people with CIDP as a potential first-in-class treatment Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare decision adds to similar designations in the US and Europe, underscoring global regulatory recognition of the potential for riliprupart to address significant unmet medical needs for people living with this rare neurological condition Paris, June 30, 2025. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan has granted orphan drug designation to riliprubart, a monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits activated C1s in the classical complement pathway for people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Despite available therapies, many CIDP patients are left with residual symptoms, including weakness, numbness, and fatigue that can lead to long-term morbidity and diminished quality of life. Approximately 30% of people with CIDP do not respond to standard therapies. The MHLW grants orphan drug designation to medicines that address rare medical diseases or conditions with unmet medical needs. There are currently approximately 4,000 people diagnosed with CIDP in Japan. Global Head of Neurology Development, Sanofi'The orphan drug designation of riliprubart for people living with CIDP in Japan underscores our commitment to applying our deep understanding of the immune system to address rare neurological disorders with significant unmet medical needs. While CIDP therapies exist, many individuals continue to experience debilitating symptoms, including pain, fatigue and weakness. Our ongoing development of riliprubart reflects our dedication to challenging the status quo in neurology with the goal of improving people's lives.' Long-term, 76-week sustained efficacy and safety data from riliprubart's phase 2 study were presented at the Peripheral Nerve Society meeting in Edinburgh, UK on May 17-20, 2025. Findings suggest a potential sustained long-term benefit provided by riliprubart across a broad spectrum of participants with CIDP. Riliprubart is currently being tested in two separate phase 3 studies: MOBILIZE in patients refractory to standard of care (clinical study identifier: NCT06290128) and VITALIZE in IVIg-treated patients (clinical study identifier: NCT06290141). About riliprubartSAR445088 (riliprubart) is an IgG4 humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits activated C1s in the classical complement pathway of the innate immune system. By blocking C1s, riliprubart has the potential to inhibit key inflammatory mechanisms that drive demyelination and axonal damage in CIDP. Riliprubart is currently under clinical investigation, and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority. For more information on riliprubart clinical studies, please visit CIDPCIDP is a rare neurological condition that causes progressive weakness and sensory impairment in the arms and legs. CIDP occurs when the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheaths around nerve cells in the peripheral nervous system. Timely diagnosis of CIDP is important because it allows for appropriate treatment, which is essential to preventing long-term disability. However, despite available therapies, many individuals are left with residual symptoms, including weakness, numbness, and fatigue that can lead to long-term morbidity and diminished quality-of-life. Approximately 30% of people with CIDP do not respond to standard therapies. In people with CIDP who do respond, about 70% of the response is considered incomplete. Less than one-third of people with CIDP remain in remission without continued therapy. About Sanofi Sanofi is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people's lives and delivering compelling growth. We apply our deep understanding of the immune system to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world, with an innovative pipeline that could benefit millions more. Our team is guided by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives; this inspires us to drive progress and deliver positive impact for our people and the communities we serve, by addressing the most urgent healthcare, environmental, and societal challenges of our time. Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY Media RelationsSandrine Guendoul | +33 6 25 09 14 25 | Berland | +1 215 432 0234 | Léo Le Bourhis | +33 6 75 06 43 81 | Victor Rouault | +33 6 70 93 71 40 | Timothy Gilbert | +1 516 521 2929 | Ubaldi | +33 6 30 19 66 46 | Investor RelationsThomas Kudsk Larsen |+44 7545 513 693 | Alizé Kaisserian | +33 6 47 04 12 11 | Lauscher | +1 908 612 7239 | Browne | +1 781 249 1766 | Nathalie Pham | +33 7 85 93 30 17 | Elgoutni | +1 617 710 3587 | Thibaud Châtelet | +33 6 80 80 89 90 | Li | +33 6 84 00 90 72 | Sanofi forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions, and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words 'expects', 'anticipates', 'believes', 'intends', 'estimates', 'plans' and similar expressions. Although Sanofi's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such product candidates, the fact that product candidates if approved may not be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, Sanofi's ability to benefit from external growth opportunities, to complete related transactions and/or obtain regulatory clearances, risks associated with intellectual property and any related pending or future litigation and the ultimate outcome of such litigation, trends in exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, volatile economic and market conditions, cost containment initiatives and subsequent changes thereto, and the impact that global crises may have on us, our customers, suppliers, vendors, and other business partners, and the financial condition of any one of them, as well as on our employees and on the global economy as a whole. The risks and uncertainties also include the uncertainties discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under 'Risk Factors' and 'Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements' in Sanofi's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements. All trademarks mentioned in this press release are the property of the Sanofi group. Attachment Press ReleaseError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
I Always Knew I Was Different. Still, I Was Shocked To Hear My Doctor Say These 4 Words To Me.
One particularly stressful day a few years ago, while driving to an important work event, I was seized with a severe bout of tics. This was not unusual for me. I'd been ticcing nearly all my life, and stress always exacerbated my tics. On this day, my snorts and jerks were so out of control that I rear-ended a car. That's when I finally visited a neurologist. I needed to know, literally, what made me tic. What he told me — 'You have Tourette syndrome' — came as a shock. It was also a relief. For as long as I can remember, I've had the characteristic vocal and motor tics associated with the condition. Secreting them away in my mental lockbox, burying them well out of sight of others, was how I dealt with them. A diagnosis brought clarity, and it meant that I could deal with my tics in a healthier way — or so I thought. I grew up in a small western New York town in the 1980s, those heady days of ozone-depleting hairspray, goofy mullets, and syrupy synth pop. In my rural community, very few people knew what Tourette was. I certainly didn't. When I was a teenager, a television program, possibly 60 Minutes, aired an episode on the subject that I watched with my mom. It featured a young man who shouted obscenities in some large American city. By that time I'd been ticcing for years — in fact, I'd already been hiding my tics for years. But I didn't recognize myself in this program, because never, not once, did I swear or shout in public. When I was in elementary school, a teacher once stopped class to tell me to quit making noises and 'doing that thing you're doing with your head.' She actually demonstrated 'that thing' in front of my classmates because I was apparently annoying her and disrupting her lesson. Every head turned my way, and I put mine down, humiliated. I could not tell her that I couldn't help myself. Related: If You Don't Pass This Extremely Easy Hygiene Test, You're Officially Stinkier Than The Average Human In birding, there's something called a 'spark bird' — the bird that, when you first see it in the wild, truly gets you hooked on birding. But this was my spark moment, when I realized my tics were not 'normal' and that I needed to hide them if I wanted to be normal. If my mom made any connection between that kid we saw on TV and me, she didn't mention it, and my parents didn't take me to a neurologist to have me checked out. Because of that TV program, I assumed, wrongly, that having Tourette meant shouting obscenities in public. I learned that this version of Tourette is called coprolalia and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it 'only affects about 1 in 10 people with Tourette.' It is not as common as popular media likes to portray it. For me, ticcing has always meant a near-constant urge to do things with my body. 'Urge' may not be the right word for these head jerks, blinks, snorts, grunts, throat clearings, tongue clicks, etc., but it's the best I've got. From the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep, my body seems to have a will of its own. In any given hour, I probably tic at least 100 times. During periods of great stress, like when I rear-ended that car, my tics are like a parasitic fungus that assumes total control over my body. Nobody wants to twitch or make weird noises in public — to be the person people crane their necks to see. What's wrong with this guy? you imagine them thinking. After getting called out by my teacher, I only wanted to blend in — to become invisible — because when you're in elementary school, you don't want to be seen as a freak. You want to be like everyone else. I couldn't stop ticcing, but I discovered that I could make it less obvious. To shield myself from shame and embarrassment, I developed an arsenal of tic-hiding strategies. Instead of jerking my head, I would put my hand underneath the table and waggle my fingers or ball my fists repeatedly. Instead of snorting or chuffing — obvious and strange sounds — I'd click my tongue softly, like an irregular metronome. These tricks satisfied my near-constant urge to tic and kept me mostly hidden from view. I wasn't bullied or teased in school, as kids and adults with tics often are, but I probably would have been if I hadn't learned how to control my tics. I've been using these tricks ever since. When I'm out in public today, I'm keenly aware of my internal pressure to tic, but I've become adept at suppressing it, bottling it up and capping it tight. At home, where I'm free to be myself, it's a very different story. My tics come and go. Six months ago, I began squirting air from my mouth the way someone might blow hair off their face; a few weeks later, I started hocking as though to spit a loogie. Like uninvited guests overstaying their welcome, both tics remain with me as I write these words. Sometimes a particular tic will go away only to return a year later, like an exasperating big brother who'd gone off to college and come home with a sly grin and a shaggy beard. Related: It Turns Out That Most People Wipe Their Butts Completely Wrong, But This Doctor Is Here To Teach Us The Right Way There is no cure for Tourette — all you can do is try to manage your tics. There are treatments available, ranging from antihypertensives like guanfacine and clonidine to alternative options like the antipsychotic drugs risperidone and Abilify. But I'd honestly rather have tics than the potential side effects these drugs can cause. When I was first diagnosed, I tried guanfacine and I'd wake up in the middle of the night so parched that it was like I'd swallowed sand; my sleeplessness felt more like a punishment, especially since the drug didn't even control my tics, so I quit taking the pill. Since then, I've chosen no other treatments, though I recently learned of a promising option I will try called 'comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics,' or CBIT. This doesn't involve any drugs. Instead, it trains you to change your behaviors and tic less. Researchers estimate that between 350,000 and 450,000 Americans have Tourette syndrome, while roughly 1 million have other persistent tic disorders. There's said to be insufficient evidence to determine the number of adults with Tourette because many people simply outgrow their tics by late adolescence. According to the Tourette Association of America, the condition 'occurs in 1 in 160 (0.6%) school-aged children, although it is estimated that 50% are going undiagnosed' (italics mine). A 2022 survey by the group suggested that 1 in 10 children with a tic disorder 'attempted suicide at least once during the past 12 months.' That's a scary number, and it speaks to how difficult it is for many people with tics to feel comfortable in their own bodies. I'm glad that kids (and their parents) who are diagnosed with Tourette today now have resources available to them — including a supportive community — to feel less stigmatized or ostracized by this awkward thing in their lives. I did not outgrow my tics. Because it's hard to admit publicly something I've always internalized and associated with shame, few people know this part of me. Even if you're not bullied or harassed, hurt and humiliation run deep; they form scars that are easily scraped off. How many other adults fly under the radar, as I do? Who, like me, never outgrew their tics but developed strategies for concealing them? Who didn't benefit from services that the Tourette Association of America offers, or the wealth of research being done today? Who struggled to form truly lasting friendships for fear of being exposed as someone with tics? Apart from the nuisance of having tics, I live what society would likely deem a 'good' and 'regular' life. I have a wife, a child, a great job, a house, and a creative life as a writer and translator. I have Tourette, but Tourette doesn't have me — though my wife would certainly disagree with this. When we got together 25 years ago, I suppressed my tics in front of her, but you can't hide something like this from someone you live with. I no longer try. Even on those nights when my ticcing body keeps her up, she's supportive. Since I've spent a lifetime hiding my tics, I've become successful at blending in, even when I'm meeting people for work or on stage in front of an audience, giving a reading or interviewing authors. But I've also experienced moments of deep loneliness. Retreating into yourself is a good way to not be publicly embarrassed, but you pay a price. Eventually, you end up feeling like a ghost in your own life — known to no one but yourself and a few carefully curated individuals whom you trust. I don't make friends easily. Later this year, I will publish my debut novel, The Book of Losman, after translating more than a dozen novels from Danish and writing countless unsold manuscripts over the past 30 years. It's about a literary translator, like me, with Tourette, but that's where the similarities end. It's a speculative fiction about a man named Losman who lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, and gets involved in an experimental drug study to relive childhood memories in the hope of finding a cure for his Tourette. Why not? The beauty of fiction is that you can imagine anything you want, provided the world you create is believable. In real life, I can't go back in time to reassure the little kid who got called out in elementary school, but I'm old enough to understand something he couldn't: 'Normal' is a highly subjective word, one laced with many assumptions. At nearly 50 years old, my tics (and the need to control them) are ingrained in the very fabric of my being. Even after publishing this essay, I will continue to hide my tics in public. Why? The stigma is a great burden. The line between dignity and humiliation is, in the end, a thin one — at least for me. I truly admire those in the younger generation, who can go on TikTok or YouTube and put themselves out there for the world to see. That's not for me. But by sharing my story here, what I can do is help normalize Tourette and other tic disorders. People like me, we're all around you. All that we ask for is what every human being deserves: to live a judgment-free life. K.E. Semmel is a writer and translator of more than a dozen novels from Danish and Norwegian. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in Ontario Review, Literary Hub, The Writer's Chronicle, The Southern Review, The Washington Post and elsewhere. 'The World and Varvara' by Simon Fruelund is his most recent translation. His debut novel, 'The Book of Losman,' was published in October 2024 (Santa Fe Writers Project). Find him online at and on his Twitter/X page, @KESemmel. This article originally appeared on HuffPost in June 2024. Also in Goodful: This Woman Is Going Viral For Begging Women Not To Get Married Right Now, And Personally, I Couldn't Agree More Also in Goodful: People Are Sharing Their Biggest "How Doesn't Everyone Know This?" Facts, And I'm Honestly Embarrassed I Never Realized Some Of These Also in Goodful: "I Thought This Was Normal": People Are Sharing Diagnoses They Received After Someone Else Pointed Out Their Symptoms
