Individual Features of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis Functioning during Aging in Non-Human Primates

Area of Science:

• Neuroendocrinology
• Comparative Medicine
• Aging Research

Background:

• Age-related neuroendocrine changes are crucial for personalized medicine and predicting pathologies.
• The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis function is a key area for understanding aging.
• Depression- and anxiety-like behavior (DAB) may be linked to neuroendocrine dysregulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related changes in the HPT axis function.
• To compare HPT axis function in laboratory primates with and without DAB.
• To identify specific hormonal alterations associated with DAB and aging.

Main Methods:

• Study involved young and aging female rhesus monkeys.
• Behavioral assessment to categorize animals into DAB and control groups.
• Measurement of basal and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) levels.

Main Results:

• Young DAB monkeys showed lower basal and TRH-stimulated TSH compared to controls.
• Aging DAB monkeys exhibited increased TSH levels.
• Aging DAB monkeys displayed decreased basal and TRH-stimulated fT4 levels, unlike controls where only trends were observed.

Conclusions:

• DAB is associated with distinct alterations in the HPT axis function in rhesus monkeys.
• These alterations become more pronounced with aging.
• Findings highlight the role of the HPT axis in DAB and aging, informing personalized treatment strategies.