Coping with Stress During Aging: The Importance of a Resilient Brain

Background: Resilience is the ability to achieve a positive outcome when we are in the face of adversity. It supposes an active resistance to adversity by coping mechanisms in which genetic, molecular, neural and environmental factors are involved. Resilience has been usually studied in early ages a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current neuropharmacology 2018-03, Vol.16 (3), p.284-296
Main Authors: Sampedro-Piquero, P., Alvarez-Suarez, P., Begega, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological - physiology
Aging
Aging - physiology
Aging - psychology
Animals
Brain - physiopathology
Environmental factors
Functional anatomy
Humans
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
miRNA
Mood
Neurogenesis
Neuronal-glial interactions
Neurotransmission
Neurotrophic factors
Nitric oxide
Nitric-oxide synthase
Resilience, Psychological
Stress, Psychological - physiopathology
Structure-function relationships
Therapeutic applications
γ-Aminobutyric acid
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Summary:Background: Resilience is the ability to achieve a positive outcome when we are in the face of adversity. It supposes an active resistance to adversity by coping mechanisms in which genetic, molecular, neural and environmental factors are involved. Resilience has been usually studied in early ages and few is known about it during aging. Methods: In this review, we will address the age-related changes in the brain mechanisms involved in regulating the stress response. Furthermore, using the EE paradigm, we analyse the resilient potential of this intervention and its neurobiological basis. In this case, we will focus on identifying the characteristics of a resilient brain (modifications in HPA structure and function, neurogenesis, specific neuron types, glia, neurotrophic factors, nitric oxide synthase or microRNAs, among others). Results: The evidence suggests that a healthy lifestyle has a crucial role to promote a resilient brain during aging. Along with the behavioral changes described, a better regulation of HPA axis, enhanced levels of postmitotic type-3 cells or changes in GABAergic neurotransmission are some of the brain mechanisms involved in resilience. Conclusion: Future research should identify different biomarkers that increase the resistance to develop mood disorders and based on this knowledge, develop new potential therapeutic targets.
ISSN:1570-159X
1875-6190
DOI:10.2174/1570159X15666170915141610