Relative Leukocyte Telomere Length in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients
A study found that patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) had significantly shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) compared to healthy controls, suggesting they may experience faster biological aging (p = 0.005).
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
Why it matters
This finding supports the idea that RRMS is associated with accelerated biological aging, which could have implications for understanding disease mechanisms and patient health in young cohorts.
What this does not prove
The study's observational design does not confirm causality, and it found no significant associations with shelterin complex genetics; thus, further research is needed to clarify these relationships.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Yes
- Relevant MS type
- RRMS
- Publication date
- 2026-10-06
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
Original sources
- Primary evidenceShorter Leukocyte telomere length as a marker of biological aging in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.1007/s13760-026-03208-4
Supporting passages (9)
study designMETHODS: In this cross-sectional study, relative LTL was measured via quantitative polymerase chain reaction in a highly characterized, young cohort of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; n = 40, age ≤ 40) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 39).
subjectsMETHODS: In this cross-sectional study, relative LTL was measured via quantitative polymerase chain reaction in a highly characterized, young cohort of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; n = 40, age ≤ 40) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 39).
primary endpoint metRESULTS: LTL was significantly shorter in RRMS patients than in healthy controls (p = 0.005), suggesting evidence of accelerated biological aging even in this relatively young cohort.
relevant ms typesTitle: Shorter Leukocyte telomere length as a marker of biological aging in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
comparatorhealthy controls (n = 39).
primary endpointLeukocyte telomere length (LTL) serves as a hallmark biomarker of cellular senescence, yet its predictive role in early-stage MS and its modulation by shelterin complex genetics remain to be fully elucidated.
findingsFurthermore, subgroup analyses revealed that LTL attrition was independent of chronological age, sex, smoking status, or disease duration, indicating that telomere erosion is driven primarily by intrinsic disease-related systemic stress rather than host shelterin genetic predisposition.
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-06
limitationsTitle: Shorter Leukocyte telomere length as a marker of biological aging in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
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