Telomeres and Psychological Stress: Perspective on Psychopathologies

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Psychiatry and Psychology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Telomeres, protective DNA-protein complexes at chromosome ends, function as cellular 'clocks'.
• Chronic stress, beginning prenatally, is linked to early-onset diseases.
• Telomere dysfunction is a potential mediator in the stress-disease relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current literature on the stress-telomere-disease triad.
• To explore the role of telomere dysfunction in psychopathologies.
• To examine the association between stress, telomeres, and age-related diseases.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of literature was conducted.
• Searches were performed in PubMed and Web of Science databases (inception to January 2022).
• 73 full-text English articles were selected based on relevance and impact.

Main Results:

• Psychopathologies like depression and schizophrenia exhibit shortened telomeres, suggesting premature aging.
• Lifelong stress exposure significantly impacts telomere length.
• Chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular, diabetes) are more prevalent and earlier in onset in certain psychopathologies.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest psychopathologies may represent premature aging syndromes linked to telomere shortening.
• While associations are evident, causality requires further investigation at the cellular level.
• Elucidating the biological mechanisms underlying stress, telomere dysfunction, and disease is crucial.