Neuroendocrine theory of aging

Author

v. M. Dilman

Histiory

This theory was proposed in 1968. Аt first, it was named the elevation hypothesis.

Example

As an individual age, there is a decline in the work of neuroendocrine system. First of all, that leads to the decline in the production of many hormones that are necessary for normal functioning of an organism. Secondly, that affect hormones interractions. Althogether a lot of bodily changes connected with aging arise, e.g. menopause, decrease in muscle mass and increased chance of degenerative disease emergence and severity. 

Description of the Theory

This theory supposes that aging is a result of age-related changed in nervous and endocrine systems coordinating interraction between all the systems of human body and responding to the changs of the internal environment or to the external medium stimuli. Age-related changes mentioned above have an impact at neuronal and hormonal paths that regulate such significant functions as reproduction, growth, development and survival.

What is the mechanism of these age-related changes? v. M. Dilman has apparently found the answer on this question. According to his elevation hypothesis (1968), aging is a result of age-dependent increasing of the threshold of sensitivity of nervous system to the regulatory homeostatic signals.
v. M. Dilman affirmed that the key condition of homoestasis maintenance is «coordinated activity of the two main regulatory sistems — endocrine and nervous».

Endocrine glands permanently oversee the internal environmet of an organism and register any abnormalities. If such abnormalities are found, endocrine glands secrete certain hormones into blood, and the state of health comes to normal. «The main gland» of an organism is the pituitary gland. It produce a lot of hormones which control how other endocrine glands produce hormones. Hypothalamus and pituitary body control many essential functions of an organism, including internal temperature, blood pressure, thirst, hunger, sexual appetites, chemical and water balances, menstrual cycles.

v. M. Dilman believed that aging is a disorder of internal homeostasis connected with increased activity of hypothalamus. The effect of this disorder is increased level of hormones in blood which leads to the development of number of pathologies, including age-related diseases and disorders (obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cancer, autoimmune disorders, metabolic immunodepression, hyperadaptosis, depression and climax). These post-maturational diseases and disorders cause aging and death.

Additions and Сriticism

Nowadays there are no doubts that hormones play very important role in aging process.

Publications

• The neuroendocrine theory of aging and degenerative disease / Vladimir Dilman, Ward Dean. — Pensacola, Fla. : Center for Bio-Gerontology, 1992. — 138 p.
• Zjacic-Rotkvic, Vanja, Lovro Kavur, and Maja Cigrovski-Berkovic. «Hormones and aging." Acta Clinica Croatica 49.4 (2010): 549–554.
• Mikhaĭlovich, v. A., et al. «[Central hemodynamics and hormonal homeostasis during surgical stress in young patients with different levels of physical preparation]." Anesteziologiia i reanimatologiia 6 (1990): 22–26.