The Mediating Role Of Biological Age In The Impact Of Mood Instability Symptoms On Neurodegenerative Disease And Mortality
Have you ever wondered if your mood swings could impact your long-term health? Recent research suggests a significant connection between experiencing severe mood instability and a higher risk of developing serious conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s disease, as well as an increased risk of mortality. This study, involving a large group of participants, found that individuals with pronounced mood fluctuations were more likely to face these adverse health outcomes.
One of the key insights from this work is the role of “biological aging.” Unlike your chronological age (how many years you’ve been alive), biological age reflects the true age of your body’s cells and tissues. The study revealed that accelerated biological aging acts as a partial bridge between severe mood instability and the increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases and death. This means that mood instability might contribute to a faster biological aging process, which in turn raises the risk for these health issues.
Interestingly, the findings also highlighted a sex-specific difference: females were found to have a higher likelihood of progressing to more severe categories of mood instability over time. This underscores the importance of tailored early intervention strategies. The researchers emphasize that focusing on severe mood instability symptoms, particularly by promoting emotional well-being in women, could be a critical step in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This research opens new avenues for understanding how our emotional health can influence our physical health as we age.
Source: link to paper