The telomere-telomerase system and mental processes in aging, norm and pathology (Literature review)

Abstract

This literature review presents results of research showing relationships between the functional activity of the telomere-telomerase system and mental (cognitive and emotional) processes in normal and various pathological states: chronic stress, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia in aging. It also refers to age-specific, environmental (psycho-social, economic), immunological, and genetic and epigenetic factors that influence these relationships.