title: Molecular consequences of psychological stress in human aging.
abstract: Psychological stress has often been described as a feeling of being overwhelmed by the necessity of constant adjustment to an individual's changing environment. Stress affects people of all ages, but the lives of the elderly may particularly be affected. Major changes can cause anxiety leading to feelings of insecurity and/or loss of self-esteem and depression. The cellular mechanisms underlying psychological stress are poorly understood. This review focuses on the physical and molecular consequences of psychological stress linked to aging processes and, in particular, how molecular changes induced by psychological stress can compromise healthy aging.
authors.affiliation: University of Konstanz, Molecular Toxicology Group, Department of Biology, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany. Electronic address: maria.moreno-villanueva@uni-konstanz.de.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreno-Villanueva
authors.affiliation: University of Konstanz, Molecular Toxicology Group, Department of Biology, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bürkle
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D002491:Central Nervous System Agents
keywords: Aging; Psychological stress