Abstract
To evaluate the circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) levels, a marker of cellular stress and damage, in older adults with late-life depression (LLD) and frailty. We hypothesize that individuals with both frailty and LLD will have higher ccf-mtDNA levels than individuals with either condition in isolation. Fifty-three older adults (Never Depressed+Robust (reference group, n=16), LLD+Robust (n=9), Never Depressed+Prefrail/Frail (n=5), and LLD+Prefrail/Frail (n=23)) were included in the study. DNA was extracted from EDTA plasma samples, and ccf-mtDNA was quantified by RT-PCR. We found a statistically significant difference in the levels of ccf-mtDNA across groups (F(3,49)=3.07, p=0.036), with individuals in the LLD+Prefrail/Frail group showing the highest levels of ccf-mtDNA. The coexistence of LLD and frailty is associated with increased markers of cellular damage and stress (i.e., ccf-mtDNA). Our results suggest that these conditions may share cellular stress and mitochondrial dysfunction phenomena as a common biological mechanism, offering potential future opportunities for geroscience-guided interventions for these conditions.
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