Major Depression and the Biological Hallmarks of Aging

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based on material published in Ageing Research Reviews and is available as an open-access article. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by psychological and physiological manifestations contributing to disease severity and outcome. In recent years, several lines of evidence have suggested that individuals with MDD have an elevated risk of age-related adverse outcomes across the lifespan. This review provided evidence of a significant overlap between the biological abnormalities in MDD and biological changes commonly observed during the aging process (i.e., hallmarks of biological aging). Based on such evidence, we formulate a mechanistic model showing how abnormalities in the hallmarks of biological aging can be a common denominator and mediate the elevated risk of age-related health outcomes commonly observed in MDD. Finally, we proposed a roadmap for novel studies to investigate the intersection between the biology of aging and MDD, including the use of geroscience-guided interventions, such as senolytics, to delay or improve major depression by targeting biological aging. This course on the relationship between biological hallmarks of aging and major depressive disorder is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. In addition, this course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced-level practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge of the relationship between biological hallmarks of aging and major depressive disorder. The course material includes a literature review of research. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading, and others do not. A significant benefit of reading research-based articles for continuing education is they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: Lorenzo, Kuchel, Kuo, Moffitt, Diniz Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the relationship between biological hallmarks of aging and major depressive disorder. Specifically, a professional will: Identify characteristics and comorbidities associated with major depressive disorder. Describe the hallmarks of biological aging. Recognize the association between abnormalities in biological aging and major depressive disorder. Citation: Lorenzo, E. C., Kuchel, G. A., Kuo, C. L., Moffitt, T. E., & Diniz, B. S. (2023). Major depression and the biological hallmarks of aging. Aging research reviews, 83, 101805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2022.101805