Coping with Stress During Aging: The Importance of a Resilient Brain

Abstract

Background: Resilience is the ability to achieve a positive outcome when we are in the face of adversity. It suppos-es an active resistance to adversity by coping mechanisms in which genetic, molecular, neural and environmental factors are involved. Resilience has been usually studied in early ages and few is known about it during aging.Methods: In this review, we will address the age-related changes in the brain mechanisms involved in regulating the stress response. Furthermore, using the EE paradigm, we analyse the resilient potential of this intervention and its neurobiological basis. In this case, we will focus on identifying the characteristics of a resilient brain (modifications in HPA structure and function, neurogenesis, specific neuron types, glia, neurotrophic factors, nitric oxide synthase or microRNAs, among oth-ers).Results: The evidence suggests that a healthy lifestyle has a crucial role to promote a resilient brain during aging. Along with the behavioral changes described, a better regulation of HPA axis, enhanced levels of postmitotic type-3 cells or changes in GABAergic neurotransmission are some of the brain mechanisms involved in resilience.Conclusion:Future research should identify different biomarkers that increase the resistance to develop mood disorders and based on this knowledge, develop new potential therapeutic targets.

Consumption coping with ageing: Individual factors underlying the use of anti‐ageing products

“…From the side of ageing individuals, this study also points to the importance of any factor that may positively impact their resilience and their ability to effectively use coping strategies to enhance internal states associated with ageing. For example, research on age‐related changes in the brain mechanisms involved in coping strategies suggests that a healthy lifestyle has a crucial role to promote a ‘resilient brain’ with ageing (Sampedro‐Piquero et al, 2018).…”

Factors predicting coping in older people with dementia: A cross‐sectional study

“…The perceived threat from cognitive disability can lead older people to seek a coping method to manage that stressful situation. However, a declining cognitive ability that affects thought processes operates directly in decision making, which, in turn, is related to inappropriate coping (Sampedro‐Piquero et al, 2018). Thus, older people who have better cognitive ability might cope more effectively than those who have worse cognitive ability for the management of stress or the adaptation to illness.…”

Resilience to acute sleep deprivation is associated with attenuation of hippocampal mediated learning impairment

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