Mood Disorders, Accelerated Aging, and Inflammation: Is the Link Hidden in Telomeres?

ABSTRACT: Mood disorders are associated with an increased risk of aging-related diseases, which greatly contribute to the excess morbidity and mortality observed in affected individuals. Clinical and molecular findings also suggest that mood disorders might be characterized by a permanent state of low-grade inflammation. At the cellular level, aging translates into telomeres shortening. Intriguingly, inflammation and telomere shortening show a bidirectional association: a pro-inflammatory state seems to contribute to aging and telomere dysfunction, and telomere attrition is able to induce low-grade inflammation. Several independent studies have reported shorter telomere length and increased levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines in mood disorders, suggesting a complex interplay between altered

SUBMITTER: Squassina A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6356466 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature