Mitochondrial DNA copy number and neurocognitive outcomes in children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Low mitochondria DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) has been linked to cognitive decline. However, the role of mtDNAcn in healthy cognitive development is unclear. We hypothesized early-life mtDNAcn would be associated with children's learning and memory.

Methods

We quantified mtDNAcn in umbilical cord blood and child blood at ages 5-7 from participants in a prospective birth cohort. We administered the Children's Memory Scale (CMS) at ages 9-14 (N = 342) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) at ages 7 and 9 (N = 457). Associations between mtDNAcn tertiles and CMS and WISC were evaluated with linear regression and linear mixed-effects models, respectively. We examined non-linear associations using generalized additive mixed models.

Results

Relat

SUBMITTER: Tung PW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12000386 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature