%0 Journal Article
%T Pathways to Aging: The Mitochondrion at the Intersection of Biological and Psychosocial Sciences
%A Martin Picard
%J Journal of Aging Research
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.4061/2011/814096
%X Compelling evidence suggests that both biological and psychosocial factors impact the process of aging. However, our understanding of the dynamic interplay among biological and psychosocial factors across the life course is still fragmentary. For example, it needs to be established how the interaction of individual factors (e.g., genetic and epigenetic endowment and personality), behavioral factors (e.g., physical activity, diet, and stress management), and psychosocial experiences (e.g., social support, well-being, socioeconomic status, and marriage) in perinatal, childhood, and adulthood influence health across the aging continuum. This paper aims to outline potential intersection points serving as an interface between biological and psychosocial factors, with an emphasis on the mitochondrion. Mitochondria are cellular organelles which play a critical role in cellular senescence. Both chronic exposure to psychosocial stress and genetic-based mitochondrial dysfunction have strikingly similar biological consequences; both predispose individuals to adverse age-related health disorders and early mortality. Exploring the interactive nature of the factors resulting in pathways to normal healthy aging, as well as those leading to morbidity and early mortality, will continue to enhance our ability to translate research into effective practices that can be implemented throughout the life course to optimise the aging process. 1. Introduction Aging is the inescapable process by which individuals, from the age of about 30 years old onwards, gradually lose maximal functional capacity [1]. Some resilient individuals experience a slow decline lasting several decades, attaining ages past one hundred years old and more [2]. These are exceptional centenarians who experience minimal physical impairment [3] along with healthy minds and bodies [4, 5]. However, many individuals experience more rapid functional declines in their 60¡¯s or 70¡¯s, sometimes afflicted with the ¡°frailty syndrome¡±¡ªdefined as a lack in general strength and unusual susceptibility to disease or to other infirmity [6]¡ªand these individuals often suffer from multiple age-related morbidities such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and cancer [7]. The majority of individuals lie between these two extreme scenarios, with an average life expectancy of 81 years old in North America [8]. In the past century, we have witnessed significant increases in life expectancy as more individuals live longer [9, 10]. This increase in average life expectancy has undoubtedly resulted from
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jar/2011/814096/