DNA 'Telomere' Length Tied to Aging, Death Risk

Large study shows association, but doesn't prove cause-and-effect

November 8, 2012 RSS Feed Print

All this "makes it really difficult to figure out exactly what's going on, whether telomere length is an independent factor in aging or a consequence," Lee added. "It could, in fact, be both. We're not really sure."

Study author Schaefer acknowledged that "at this time, there are no practical implications of knowing telomere length. Telomere length may help us to better understand the factors that underlie aging, but it cannot predict health or disease with any precision. The health effects of a number of behaviors that are related to telomere length, such as smoking, are well known."

Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

And while the study found an association between telomere length and mortality, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

More information

For more about telomeres, visit the University of Utah.