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The relationship between naevus count, memory function and telomere length in the Twins UK cohort
Author(s) -
Masi Stefano,
Georgiopoulos Georgios,
Ribero Simone,
Taddei Stefano,
Bataille Veronique,
Steves Claire J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/pcmr.12722
Subject(s) - telomere , population , biology , ageing , cohort , genetics , medicine , oncology , dna , environmental health
The presence of a skin–brain connection whereby alterations in the skin can inform on mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases is increasingly recognized. In this study, we used a discovery ( n = 321) and replication ( n = 147) sample from the Twins UK population to test the association between naevus count and memory function, and its mediation by telomeres. Memory function was assessed in 1999 and 2009 using the paired associates learning test ( PAL ), while naevus count and leucocyte telomere length ( LTL , assessed by the terminal restriction fragment assay) were measured once. Higher baseline naevus count was significantly associated with fewer errors at the baseline and follow‐up PAL , as well as with change in PAL score over 10 years. This association was significantly attenuated after adjustment for LTL . The significant association between naevus count and PAL score was reproduced in the replication sample. These findings suggest that melanocytes might be used as model system to study the biological ageing pathways involved in neurodegeneration.