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Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Successful aging, cognitive function, socioeconomic status, and leukocyte telomere length
Yi Huang1, Onn Siong Yim2, Poh San Lai2
1Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Successful aging, including cognitive function, is linked to longer leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of cellular aging. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) exacerbates age-related LTL shortening, indicating accelerated aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cellular Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Successful aging is characterized by high physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning in older age.
- Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a biomarker of cellular aging, distinct from chronological age.
- Socioeconomic status (SES) is known to influence aging trajectories and may interact with biological aging markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between successful aging and LTL.
- To determine if successful aging mediates the relationship between chronological age and LTL.
- To examine whether SES moderates the effect of age on LTL.
Main Methods:
- A study of 353 Singaporean Chinese aged 65-80.
- Multidimensional assessment of successful aging and blood sample collection for LTL analysis.
- Correlation, mediation, and moderated mediation analyses were employed.
Main Results:
- LTL negatively correlated with chronological age and positively correlated with successful aging.
- Successful aging mediated the association between chronological age and LTL.
- Lower SES amplified the negative effects of age on successful aging and LTL, particularly cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Successful aging is associated with longer LTL, suggesting a link between functional well-being and cellular aging.
- SES plays a crucial role, with lower SES linked to accelerated cellular aging (shorter LTL) and declines in successful aging, especially cognitive function.
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