N-glycosylation profiling of plasma provides evidence for accelerated physiological aging in post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

The prevalence of age-related diseases is increased in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the underlying biological mechanisms are still unclear. N-glycosylation is an age-dependent process, identified as a biomarker for physiological aging (GlycoAge Test). To investigate whether traumatic stress accelerates the aging process, we analyzed the N-glycosylation profile in n=13 individuals with PTSD, n=9 trauma-exposed individuals and in n=10 low-stress control subjects. Individuals with PTSD and trauma-exposed individuals presented an upward shift in the GlycoAge Test, equivalent to an advancement of the aging process by 15 additional years. Trauma-exposed individuals presented an intermediate N-glycosylation profile positioned between severely traumatized individuals with PTSD and low-stress control subjects. In conclusion, our data suggest that cumulative exposure to traumatic stressors accelerates the process of physiological aging.

Mitochondrial DNA copy number is reduced in male combat veterans with PTSD

“…At an organismal level, PTSD may be associated with aspects of accelerated biological aging (Bremner and Narayan 1998, Miller and Sadeh 2014, Moreno-Villanueva et al 2013, Torgashov et al 2013, Yehuda 2005, and decreased mtDNAcn could be further evidence of this (Bratic and Larsson 2013). One proposed index of accelerated biological aging in PTSD is premature telomere shortening (Jergovic et al 2014, O'Donovan et al 2011).…”

Effects of Psychotherapy on DNA Strand Break Accumulation Originating from Traumatic Stress

“…In the new DSM-5 [2], the avoidance symptom cluster was divided into ‘persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing of general responsiveness' and the new symptom cluster ‘negative alterations in cognition and mood'. Traumatic experiences and PTSD are associated with premature aging of immune system cells [3,4,5], blood plasma [6] and DNA extracted from buccal swabs [7], leading to greater physical morbidity [8] and even higher mortality from numerous diseases [9,10] including cancer [11]. …”

Molecular consequences of psychological stress in human aging

“…show recently that individuals with PTSD and trauma-exposed individuals present a shift in the N-glycosylation profiles equivalent to an advancement of the aging process by 15 years (Moreno-Villanueva, Morath et al, 2013) (Fig. 1).…”

“…Learning to manage stress might give us a better chance to live a long and healthy life. (Moreno-Villanueva, Morath et al, 2013) controls, trauma-exposed and PTSD subjects are represented. Higher values in the GlycoAge Test are positively correlated with Traumatic load.…”

“…Scatterplot between the GlycoAge Test and Traumatic load (Reprinted fromVillanueva,Morath et al, 2013) Transl Psychiatry, with permission). Low exposed and PTSD subjects are represented.…”