Aging of the neuroendocrine system: Insights from nonhuman primate models

Publication date: Available online 28 December 2019Source: Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological PsychiatryAuthor(s): Jacques Epelbaum, Jérémy TerrienAbstractThe neuroendocrine system (NES) plays a crucial role in synchronizing the physiology and behavior of the whole organism in response to environmental constraints. The NES consists of a hypothalamic-pituitary-target organ axis that acts in coordination to regulate growth, reproduction, stress and basal metabolism. The growth (or somatotropic), hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes are therefore finely tuned by the hypothalamus through the successive release of hypothalamic and pituitary hormones to control the downstream physiological functions. These functions rely on a complex set of mechanisms requiring tight synchronization between peripheral organs and the hypothalamic-pituitary complex, whose functionality can be altered during aging. Here, we review the results of research on the effects of aging on the NES of nonhuman primate (NHP) species in wild and captive conditions. A focus on the age-related dysregulation of the master circadian pacemaker, which, in turn, alters the synchronization of the NES with the organism environment, is proposed. Finally, the value of using NHP models to test the effects of nutrition-based or hormonal treatments to combat the deterioration of the NES is discussed.
Source: Progress in Neuro Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research