A Discussion of Developmental Effects on Aging

To what degree does early life development impact the trajectory of late life aging? Plenty of evidence suggests a connection, much of it from epidemiological studies that, unfortunately, given little insight into possible mechanisms. Of other work, applying reliability theory to aging can only fit the observed mortality data if we are born with a non-zero level of damage. Further, early exposure to cytomegalovirus, a persistent infection that is corrosive of immune function over the long term, may explain links between socioeconomic status in childhood and pace of late life aging. These are two of many studies to provide hypotheses and at least some supporting evidence. A diverse set of mechanisms could transform episodic or recurrent early exposures in utero, perinatally, and during infancy and early childhood into delayed impacts on adult illness, disability, and mortality. The mechanisms are associated with organ-specific embryo and fetal cell growth and differentiation, epigenetic changes, exposure to and contraction of early childhood diseases and sustained inflammation, and experiences with stressful conditions and environments. Furthermore, a large and influential body of empirical research documents the long-lasting impact of early nutritional status on adult health and mortality. Finally, there is widespread empirical evidence demonstrating that more diffuse exposures, such as poverty and severe deprivation in infancy and early childhood, can also have last...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs