Neuroendocrinological Aging describes the progressive, inevitable decline in the functional integrity and coordinated communication between the nervous system and the endocrine system that occurs over the human lifespan. This process is characterized by alterations in the pulsatile release of hypothalamic-pituitary hormones, reduced peripheral gland responsiveness, and decreased sensitivity of target tissues to circulating hormones. The consequence is a cascade of systemic dysregulation, impacting sleep, metabolism, stress response, and reproductive function, significantly contributing to the overall aging phenotype.
Origin
This term is a cornerstone of gerontology and endocrinology, emerging from research that demonstrated the central role of the brain and pituitary gland in orchestrating the body’s aging process, particularly through the HPA, HPT, and HPG axes. The combined term emphasizes the inextricable link between neural control and hormonal output, acknowledging that aging in one system invariably affects the other. It moves beyond simple glandular failure to a more complex, integrated systems perspective.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism involves a desynchronization of circadian rhythms and a progressive loss of negative feedback control, leading to blunted or erratic hormonal pulses, such as those seen with growth hormone and DHEA. Neuronal loss and increased oxidative stress in key brain regions, like the hypothalamus, further impair the precise signaling required to maintain youthful endocrine set points. This cumulative disruption of the neuroendocrine axis drives the downstream metabolic and physiological changes associated with age-related decline and loss of homeostatic capacity.
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