Abused Children Age Quicker As Adults
Cellular aging is a reduction in the size of telomeres or the caps at the end of chromosomes. Researchers measured DNA in blood samples from adults who reported suffering abuse as children and compared them to adults who were not abused as children.
The findings showed that adults who were emotionally or physically abused as children had accelerated shortening of their telomeres.
Dr Audrey Tyrka said “It tells us something. It gives us a hint that early developmental experiences may have profound effects on biology that can influence cellular mechanisms at a very basic level”.
Shorter telomeres are also linked to aging related diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091122095411.htm
This is a pretty harmful everlasting impact of abuse during childhood. Information like this is the type of information that puts the actions into context, and shows what the short-term stupidity of some parents can do for their children in the long-term.
This is sort of disappointing to read. It is sort of like the abuse was life-canceling. Research is bringing out a lot of our follies as people, so we can see the direct impacts.
HI Armen, child abuse can be difficult to prove, especially years later when some victims summon up the courage to face their abusers. Imagine one day they can use telomere measuring in the same way they use DNA tests to prove abuse in courts.
That sure is an interesting use of this information that I had not thought of at all. The telomere length might one day represent someone’s health/age in a type of a way like with a score.
We adapt to new technologies quickly.