Hormonal
Chronic elevation of glucocorticoids (cortisol) in the elderly impairs the ability to recover from stressful stimuli and contributes to structural brain changes, including hippocampal atrophy and amygdala dysfunction.
Chronic stress leads to persistently high cortisol levels, which can shrink the hippocampus (memory) and overactivate the amygdala (fear/anxiety). This impairs your ability to bounce back from stressful events. Prioritizing stress management techniques is essential for preserving cognitive function and mental health as you age.
The chronically elevated glucocorticoid levels also impinge on the normal stress response in the elderly, leading to an impaired ability to recover from stressful stimuli. Glucocorticoid excess seen in the elderly population can have serious consequences in both the structural integrity of various key areas in the brain, including the hippocampus, and functional amygdala, prefrontal cortex, with consequent impairment in normal memory, cognitive function, and sleep cycles.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple citations in the review, though the paper notes some conflicting evidence on cortisol levels in specific subgroups.
Source
Adrenal Aging and Its Implications on Stress Responsiveness in Humans
Andreas Yiallouris et al. · Frontiers in Endocrinology · 2019
DOI 10.3389/fendo.2019.00054
More from this paper
- Normal human aging is characterized by a significant increase in mean daily serum cortisol levels and a decrease in DHEA, leading to an elevated cortisol-to-DHEA ratio that impairs stress recovery and accelerates neurodegeneration.Good
- The age-related decline in DHEA and DHEAS, combined with stable or elevated cortisol, creates a high cortisol-to-DHEA ratio that contributes to immunosenescence, frailty, and increased mortality risk.Good
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