#72

Key Insights and Implications

One of the study’s most striking findings involves cortisol, a steroid hormone commonly associated with stress. The researchers found that when cortisol levels doubled, biological age increased by approximately 1.5 times. This suggests that chronic stress could accelerate aging at a biochemical level, reinforcing the importance of stress management in maintaining long-term health.

https://scitechdaily.com/are-you-aging-faster-than-you-should-new-ai-reveals-your-true-biological-age-from-5-drops-of-blood/

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#73

I think this jives with the common epigenetic aging factors. Students have a higher epigenetic age before a test and lower after. Mothers have a higher epigenetic age before giving birth and an even higher one after. :wink:

#74

Childhood Stress Rewires the Brain: Study Reveals Widespread White Matter Disruption

A study by Mass General Brigham involving over 9,000 participants found that early life adversity is linked to weaker white matter connections in the brain, which can raise the risk of cognitive challenges. However, supportive relationships may help buffer against these effects.

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have found that adverse experiences in early childhood are linked to reduced development of white matter, the brain’s communication pathways, during adolescence. This diminished connectivity is also associated with poorer performance on cognitive tasks. However, certain protective social factors, such as strong neighborhood cohesion and supportive parenting, may help buffer these effects. The findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

White matter serves as the brain’s communication network, enabling different regions to work together to support thinking and behavior.

https://scitechdaily.com/childhood-stress-rewires-the-brain-study-reveals-widespread-white-matter-disruption/

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#75

I swear, every time I start to lose patience and let things start getting to me, @RapAdmin links another article relating stress and longevity and it reminds me to just breathe and take things a little slower. :slightly_smiling_face:

One of my all-time favorite papers is also relevant to this thread:

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#76
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#77

Thanks for that article @RapAdmin

#78

I wonder if these drugs, or other anxiety or anti-depressant drugs might increase lifespan in people who live stressful lives (or are going through very stressful periods in their lives). Seems like something some good animal studies might reveal:

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#79
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#80
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#81
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#82

Generally I think everyone that ages will get every aging disease suiting their sex, but in different orders and generally people die before getting all of them. That is because the balance of mitochondrial quality and burden of senescence varies.

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#83
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#84
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#85

Epigenetic biomarkers of mortality risk in mice under chronic social stress

A strong association exists between exposure to life stressors and accelerated aging in humans and animal models. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the adverse effect of stress on aging remain poorly characterized, and there is a paucity of prognostic predictors of stress-induced disease outcomes and life expectancy. To address this gap, we developed mathematical models to predict remaining lifespan based on healthspan data across two independent cohorts which were part of a large study (350 + mice) on social stress and aging in mice. We then relate remaining lifespan to changes in DNA methylation, due to its strong association with age as well as environmental factors such as stress exposure. Multivariate multiple regression identified blood glucose as a major trait associated with DNA methylation. An independent neural network analysis also identified blood glucose among the traits most associated with mortality risk. Finally, elastic net regression identified several DNA methylation sites, including Ptp4a3, Lrrc3b, Adgrb1, Mron5, and Gm6549, which represent possible targets at the intersection of glucose, stress and survival. Overall, the main finding of our analysis is that epigenetic biomarkers of mortality risk reveal an association with blood glucose levels, informing on individual life trajectories shaped by the impact of chronic social stress.

Open Access Paper:

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#86

For example, in one 2024 study of male mice, Bartolomucci’s team demonstrated that social stress during a relatively brief period in early life led to an increase in levels of a key marker of cellular senescence, called p16, in the brain, fat tissue and immune cells7.

See: How your brain controls ageing — and why zombie cells could be key (Nature)

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#87

How stress ages you.

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#88

“Excessive academic focus during early childhood can hinder the development of creativity, play skills and social abilities — all of which are critical areas for healthy growth,” said Eom So-yong., a professor at Yonsei University’s College of Medicine, during a forum on reducing private education for children held Wednesday by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

“Persistent stress at this age can negatively affect brain development. Excessive secretion of stress hormones can harm cognitive function and emotional stability," the professor explained. "It can later decrease interest in learning during the school years, lower motivation and lead to poor academic performance, reduced self-esteem and emotional problems as well."s

#89

Tiger Moms disagree. You’ll tear away private tutors and severe pressure from their cold dead hands🤣.

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#90
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#91

Investigating the molecular ‘scars’ of PTSD in the human brain

Trauma leaves traces in the brain. A study of alterations in gene regulation in the brains of people with post-traumatic stress disorder offers insights into its biology.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01707-7?utm_source=x&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nature&linkId=15285153