Connecting the biology of stress, allostatic load and epigenetics to social structures and processes

McEwen, Craig A.

doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100426

Cited by 21 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 81 publications

(86 reference statements)

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“…Socioeconomic disadvantage and marginalization, and the power structures that maintain inequity, are manifest in the human microbiome, a process known as “dysbiotic drift” [ 149 , 150 ]. The millions of dollars that are invested in human flourishing represent an opportunity to further understand the links between the upstream drivers of dysbiosis, the biological markers that illuminate structural inequalities, and unrealized human potential [ 97 , 151 ].…”

Section: Towards Greater Integration: From Biopsychosocial Research T...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitality Revisited: The Evolving Concept of Flourishing and Its Relevance to Personal and Public Health

Logan¹,

Berman

Prescott

2023

IJERPH

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Human flourishing, the state of optimal functioning and well-being across all aspects of an individual’s life, has been a topic of philosophical and theological discussion for centuries. In the mid-20th century, social psychologists and health scientists began exploring the concept of flourishing in the context of health and high-level wellness. However, it is only in recent years, in part due to the USD 43 million Global Flourishing Study including 22 countries that flourishing has entered the mainstream discourse. Here, we explore this history and the rapid acceleration of research into human flourishing, defined as “the relative attainment of a state in which all aspects of a person’s life are good” by the Harvard University’s Flourishing Program. We also explore the construct of “vitality”, which refers to a sense of aliveness, energy, and motivation; we contend that this has been neglected in the flourishing movement. We explore why incorporating measures of vitality together with a broader biopsychosocial approach considers all dimensions of the environment across time (the total exposome), which will greatly advance research, policies, and actions to achieve human flourishing.

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Section: Towards Greater Integration: From Biopsychosocial Research T...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitality Revisited: The Evolving Concept of Flourishing and Its Relevance to Personal and Public Health

Logan¹,

Berman

Prescott

2023

IJERPH

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“…The concept of allostatic load is well-established (91)(92)(93), but the specific molecular mechanisms that mediate pathological stress responses remain poorly characterized (94). The HPA axis has traditionally been the focus of stress pathophysiology research in ASC; however, the evidence for HPA axis dysregulation in autism is inconsistent (95).…”

Section: Mitochondrial Allostatic Load and Convergent Molecular Mecha...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A molecular framework for autistic experiences: Mitochondrial allostatic load as a mediator between autism and psychopathology

Mahony

O’Ryan

2022

Front. Psychiatry

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Molecular autism research is evolving toward a biopsychosocial framework that is more informed by autistic experiences. In this context, research aims are moving away from correcting external autistic behaviors and toward alleviating internal distress. Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) are associated with high rates of depression, suicidality and other comorbid psychopathologies, but this relationship is poorly understood. Here, we integrate emerging characterizations of internal autistic experiences within a molecular framework to yield insight into the prevalence of psychopathology in ASC. We demonstrate that descriptions of social camouflaging and autistic burnout resonate closely with the accepted definitions for early life stress (ELS) and chronic adolescent stress (CAS). We propose that social camouflaging could be considered a distinct form of CAS that contributes to allostatic overload, culminating in a pathophysiological state that is experienced as autistic burnout. Autistic burnout is thought to contribute to psychopathology via psychological and physiological mechanisms, but these remain largely unexplored by molecular researchers. Building on converging fields in molecular neuroscience, we discuss the substantial evidence implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in ASC to propose a novel role for mitochondrial allostatic load in the relationship between autism and psychopathology. An interplay between mitochondrial, neuroimmune and neuroendocrine signaling is increasingly implicated in stress-related psychopathologies, and these molecular players are also associated with neurodevelopmental, neurophysiological and neurochemical aspects of ASC. Together, this suggests an increased exposure and underlying molecular susceptibility to ELS that increases the risk of psychopathology in ASC. This article describes an integrative framework shaped by autistic experiences that highlights novel avenues for molecular research into mechanisms that directly affect the quality of life and wellbeing of autistic individuals. Moreover, this framework emphasizes the need for increased access to diagnoses, accommodations, and resources to improve mental health outcomes in autism.

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“…This scientific paradigm can deeply change medical and psychological sciences and clinical practice, integrating psychology and biomedicine, because the disciplines are artificially divided, which is not the reality [ 163 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychic Life-Biological Molecule Bidirectional Relationship: Pathways, Mechanisms, and Consequences for Medical and Psychological Sciences—A Narrative Review

Bottaccioli

Bologna

Bottaccioli

2022

IJMS

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Today, it is possible to investigate the biological paths and mechanisms that link mental life to biological life. Emotions, feelings, desires, and cognitions influence biological systems. In recent decades, psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology research has highlighted the routes linking the psyche–brain–immune systems. Recently, epigenetics research has shown the molecular mechanisms by which stress and mental states modulate the information contained in the genome. This research shapes a new paradigm considering the human being as a whole, integrating biology and psychology. This will allow us to progress towards personalized precision medicine, deeply changing medical and psychological sciences and clinical practice. In this paper, we recognize leading research on both bidirectional relations between the psyche–brain–immunity and molecular consequences of psychological and mental states.

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Connecting the biology of stress, allostatic load and epigenetics to social structures and processes

Cited by 21 publications

References 81 publications

Vitality Revisited: The Evolving Concept of Flourishing and Its Relevance to Personal and Public Health

Vitality Revisited: The Evolving Concept of Flourishing and Its Relevance to Personal and Public Health

A molecular framework for autistic experiences: Mitochondrial allostatic load as a mediator between autism and psychopathology

Psychic Life-Biological Molecule Bidirectional Relationship: Pathways, Mechanisms, and Consequences for Medical and Psychological Sciences—A Narrative Review

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