People with a history of depression age faster at the cellular level

According to a recent report by Phys.org, a latest study conducted by Dutch scientists shows that the cells of people with a history of depression may age more quickly. This study was recently published online in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

They divided over 2,400 volunteers into healthy and depressed groups, then compared the structures known as telomeres within their cells. Telomeres cap the ends of chromosomes like a hat, protecting the cell's DNA from damage. Each time a cell divides, the length of the telomere shortens a bit, so telomeres can be seen as very useful markers of aging.

The researchers found that, on average, those with a history of depression had telomeres that were significantly shorter by approximately 83 to 84 DNA base pairs than those who had never been depressed. Even when taking into account other lifestyle factors that can damage DNA, such as heavy drinking and smoking, the conclusion remained the same. Since human telomeres naturally lose about 14 to 20 DNA base pairs per year, the researchers said this difference equates to about 4 to 6 years of accelerated aging.

However, this study only shows an association between depression and shortened telomeres, it does not prove a causal relationship. The researchers stated that they are not entirely sure what the shortening of telomeres means for depression.

Josseline van der Velde, postdoctoral researcher at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam and co-author of the report, said that shorter telomere length might cause someone to inexplicably feel psychological distress, but it is more likely that this is a trace of the destruction caused by depression at the cellular level. It is well known that depression disrupts many physiological systems; it can alter hormone levels, suppress immune function, and affect the nervous system. People with a history of depression have a higher risk of developing age-related diseases such as heart disease, type II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer.

"Our results indicate that psychological distress, like what individuals with depression experience, has a significant adverse effect on the wear and tear of the body, leading to accelerated physiological aging," said Van der Velde.

Some experts believe that this study is significant due to the large number of people involved. "The strength of this report lies in its scale," said Etienne Sibille, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, who is studying how depression leads to brain aging.

Sibille noted that the next scientific question to answer is whether the shortening of telomeres really matters, and if reversing it could improve health. Other studies have shown that a healthy diet, exercise, and measures to control stress may lengthen telomeres.