Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2025
11:31
Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
16.0K
Telomere Dynamics in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Critical Synthesis.
1Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India.
Biomedicines
|February 26, 2025
Summary
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not reliably linked to changes in telomere length, a marker of cellular aging. Research indicates telomere length in PTSD is highly variable and not a consistent biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 5-10% of the global population.
- PTSD is linked to accelerated cellular aging and increased risk of comorbidities.
- Telomere length (TL) and telomerase activity are investigated as biomarkers for cellular aging in PTSD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically synthesize existing research on telomere length and telomerase in PTSD.
- To evaluate the reliability of TL and telomerase as biomarkers for cellular aging in PTSD.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of 26 clinical studies.
- Analysis of data on telomere length and telomerase activity in individuals with PTSD.
- Inclusion of findings from animal research on traumatic stress and TL.
Main Results:
- Telomere length in PTSD is highly variable, influenced by methodological, demographic, trauma, and psychosocial factors.
- No consistent evidence supports altered telomerase activity in PTSD.
- Animal studies show traumatic stress shortens TL, but human data is mixed.
Conclusions:
- Telomere length is unlikely to be a reliable biomarker of cellular aging in PTSD.
- Other markers, such as epigenetic changes, may be more specific for cellular senescence in PTSD patients.
Keywords:
biomarkerscellular senescencepost-traumaticpsychological traumastress disorderstelomerasetelomereMore Related Videos
08:25Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
273
10:43Developing Neuroimaging Phenotypes of the Default Mode Network in PTSD: Integrating the Resting State, Working Memory, and Structural Connectivity
Published on: July 1, 2014
14.9K
Related Concept Videos
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
27
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
27
01:20Traumatic Memory
68
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual...
68
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
66
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
66
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
38
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
38
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder
19
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
19
01:17Bonanno's Theory of Grieving
63
Grieving is a complex psychological and emotional process that varies significantly among individuals. George Bonanno's research on bereavement identified four distinct patterns of grieving, offering a nuanced understanding of how people cope with significant loss, such as the death of a spouse, over extended periods. These patterns — resilience, recovery, chronic dysfunction, and delayed grief — highlight the diversity in emotional responses and adaptive mechanisms.
Resilience
Resilience
63