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Neuroendocrine Theory of Aging

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Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging

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Biological aging

Definition

Neuroendocrinology of aging refers to a variety of age-related biological changes in hormone regulation and energy metabolism that can influence the nervous system, cognition, and functional behaviors.

Overview

Aging is an unavoidable process associated with structural and functional decline of the neuroendocrine system, including hormone dysregulation and tissue deterioration (Gupta and Morley 2014). Hormonal changes are associated with the normal aging process that may have significant implications for aging. Evolutional changes in the regulatory actions of the neuroendocrine system, governed by an “internal biological clock,” ultimately manifest in age-associated decline of functional responsiveness. Although the rate of decline clearly differs across individuals, aging is associated with multiple negative outcomes.

The hypothalamus is a key brain structure critically involved in age-related physiological changes and decline. Functional changes...

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Correspondence to Heshan J. Fernando .

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Fernando, H.J., Bowers, D. (2021). Neuroendocrine Theory of Aging. In: Gu, D., Dupre, M.E. (eds) Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22009-9_673

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