Telomeres play an important part in aging and show relationships to lifetime adversity, particularly childhood adversity. Meta-analyses demonstrate reliable associations between psychopathology (primarily depression) and shorter telomere length, but the nature of this relationship has not been fully understood. Here, we review and evaluate the evidence for impaired telomere biology as a consequence of psychopathology or as a contributing factor, and the important mediating roles of chronic psychological stress and impaired allostasis. There is evidence for a triadic relationship among stress, telomere shortening, and psychiatric disorders that is positively reinforcing and unfolds across the life course and, possibly, across generations. We review the role of genetics and biobehavioral responses that may contribute to shorter telomere length, as well as the neurobiological impact of impaired levels of telomerase. These complex interrelationships are important to elucidate because they have implications for mental and physical comorbidity and, potentially, for the prevention and treatment of depression.

中文翻译：

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压力，端粒和精神病理学：对早期衰老三联症有更深入的了解。

端粒在衰老中起着重要的作用，并显示出与一生的逆境，特别是儿童逆境的关系。荟萃分析表明心理病理学（主要是抑郁）和较短的端粒长度之间存在可靠的关联，但这种关系的性质尚未得到充分了解。在这里，我们审查和评估端粒生物学受损的证据，这些端粒生物学受损是心理病理学的结果或作为促成因素，以及慢性心理压力和同种异体受损的重要调节作用。有证据表明，压力，端粒缩短和精神疾病之间存在三元关系，这种关系在生活过程中乃至几代人中都得到积极增强和发展。我们回顾了遗传和生物行为反应的作用，这些作用可能有助于缩短端粒的长度，以及端粒酶水平受损的神经生物学影响。这些复杂的相互关系非常重要，因为它们对精神和身体合并症以及可能对抑郁症的预防和治疗都有影响。