Cited by 153Telomeres, Telomerase, and SenescenceStress Responses and CortisolChild Abuse and Trauma

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Stress, Telomeres, and Psychopathology: Toward a Deeper Understanding of a Triad of Early Aging

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Epel, Elissa S., Prather, Aric A.·2018·Annual Review of Clinical Psychology

DOI 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032816-045054PMC PMC7039047

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Abstract

Telomeres play an important part in aging and show relationships to lifetime adversity, particularly childhood adversity. Meta-analyses demonstrate reliable associations between psychopathology (primarily depression) and shorter telomere length, but the nature of this relationship has not been fully understood. Here, we review and evaluate the evidence for impaired telomere biology as a consequence of psychopathology or as a contributing factor, and the important mediating roles of chronic psychological stress and impaired allostasis. There is evidence for a triadic relationship among stress, telomere shortening, and psychiatric disorders that is positively reinforcing and unfolds across the life course and, possibly, across generations. We review the role of genetics and biobehavioral responses that may contribute to shorter telomere length, as well as the neurobiological impact of impaired levels of telomerase. These complex interrelationships are important to elucidate because they have implications for mental and physical comorbidity and, potentially, for the prevention and treatment of depression.

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Authors: Epel, E. S., & Prather, A. A.
Affiliations: University of California, San Francisco (US)
ORCID: Epel, Elissa S.
Prather, Aric A.
Venue: Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
Publisher: Annual Reviews
Published: 2018-05-07
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 371-397
ISSN: 1548-5943 (ISSN-L)
1548-5951
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032816-045054
PMC: PMC7039047
OpenAlex: W2792292383
Cited by: 153
References: 148
Citations by year: 2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 4
FWCI: 2.11
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Locations: Annual Review of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders: National Institute on Aging (R01AG030424, R24AG048024)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (K08HL112961)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords: telomeres, telomere length, psychological stress, childhood adversity, depression, psychopathology, allostasis, telomerase, aging, life course, intergenerational transmission, genetic factors
MeSH terms: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Animals, Mental Disorders, Humans, Stress, Psychological, Telomerase, Aging, Premature, Telomere Shortening

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Stress, Telomeres, and Psychopathology: Toward a Deeper Understanding of a Triad of Early Aging

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