2017 Research in the Capitol
Presentation Type
Open Access Poster Presentation
Keywords
Hydrocortisone; Stress (Psychology)--Physiological aspects; Stress in old age;
Abstract
Chronic psychological stress as measured by the elevation of the stress hormone cortisol is thought to play a crucial role in the biological mechanisms involved in disease and accelerated aging. In 2011, a critical connection was reported between cortisol and the oxidative damage to DNA in a study of elderly participants (ages 63-83) via 24-hour urinary samples (Joergensen, et. al., 2011). This connection, if verified, has implications for how stress may accelerate aging and the onset of disease. The possible relationship between psychological stress and the cellular damage that underlies aging and disease is explored here, replicating the prior study with a sample of 49 young adults (ages 18-26) via direct salivary assay. A significant association was also found, suggesting a link between elevated cortisol and DNA damage at earlier ages.
Start Date
28-3-2017 11:30 AM
End Date
28-3-2017 1:30 PM
Event Host
University Honors Programs, Iowa Regent Universities
Faculty Advisor
Catherine DeSoto
Department
Department of Psychology
Department
McNair Scholars Program at UNI
Copyright
©2017 Jason Fly
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Fly, Jason M. and DeSoto, M. Catherine, "Some Evidence of Youthful Aging: Elevated Cortisol and the Association With DNA Damage" (2017). Research in the Capitol. 4.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/rcapitol/2017/all/4
Some Evidence of Youthful Aging: Elevated Cortisol and the Association With DNA Damage
Chronic psychological stress as measured by the elevation of the stress hormone cortisol is thought to play a crucial role in the biological mechanisms involved in disease and accelerated aging. In 2011, a critical connection was reported between cortisol and the oxidative damage to DNA in a study of elderly participants (ages 63-83) via 24-hour urinary samples (Joergensen, et. al., 2011). This connection, if verified, has implications for how stress may accelerate aging and the onset of disease. The possible relationship between psychological stress and the cellular damage that underlies aging and disease is explored here, replicating the prior study with a sample of 49 young adults (ages 18-26) via direct salivary assay. A significant association was also found, suggesting a link between elevated cortisol and DNA damage at earlier ages.
