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Is telomere length a biomarker of neurological disorders?
Ismail Thanseem1, Vijitha Viswambharan1, Suresh A Poovathinal2
1Department of Neurogenetics, Institute for Communicative & Cognitive Neurosciences (ICCONS), Shoranur, Palakkad 679 523, Kerala, India.
Abstract:
Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that form protective caps at the termini of chromosomes, maintaining genomic stability. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the usefulness of telomere length (TL) as biomarkers of neurological disorders. The implications of TL in relation to cognitive ability, cognitive aging and cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders are also briefly discussed. Our review suggests that at present it is difficult to draw a reliable conclusion regarding the contribution of TL to neurological disorders. Further, it needs to be examined whether leukocyte TL, which is generally considered as a surrogate marker of TL in other tissues, serves as an indicator of central nervous system TL.
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