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Chronic stress, allostatic load, and aging in nonhuman primates.
Dario Maestripieri1, Christy L Hoffman
1University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. dario@uchicago.edu
Development and Psychopathology
|October 25, 2011
Summary
Allostatic load, the body's wear and tear from chronic stress, accelerates aging and impacts health. Individual differences in stress response influence aging outcomes, highlighting the need for further research in primate models.
Area of Science:
- Physiological stress response
- Aging research
- Comparative biology
Background:
- Allostatic load, or the body's wear and tear from chronic stress, is linked to accelerated aging and reduced longevity.
- Socioeconomic status and psychosocial stress are associated with allostatic load, but lifestyle factors can confound these relationships.
- Nonhuman primate models, particularly rhesus monkeys, offer insights into allostatic load and aging due to their social structures and reproductive stressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of chronic psychosocial stress and reproductive demands on allostatic load and aging.
- To examine individual differences in physiological responses to stress and their relationship with health during aging.
- To compare captive and free-ranging rhesus monkey populations to understand environmental stress effects on aging and longevity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized free-ranging rhesus monkeys as a model to study allostatic load and aging.
- Assessed physiological markers including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and immune function.
- Analyzed body condition, cortisol responses to stress, and cytokine responses in aging females.
Main Results:
- Female reproduction contributes to stress and allostatic load, particularly for aging females of low social rank.
- Significant individual differences exist in body condition and stress responses (cortisol, cytokines) among aging females.
- These differences suggest varying levels of chronic stress and their impact on health during aging.
Conclusions:
- Chronic stress and resulting allostatic load significantly influence health and aging trajectories.
- Individual variability in stress response is a key factor in how allostatic load affects aging.
- Primate models provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between stress, aging, and health in humans.
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