Title:Stress, Depression, Resilience and Ageing: A Role for the LPA-LPA1 Pathway
Volume: 16
Issue: 3
Author(s): Moreno-Fernandez Roman Dario, Tabbai Sara, Castilla-Ortega Estela, Perez-Martin Margarita, Estivill-Torrus Guillermo, Rodriguez de Fonseca Fernando, Santin Luis Javier and Pedraza Carmen*
Affiliation:
- Departamento de Psicobiologia y Metodología de las CC, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga (IBIMA), Universidad de Malaga; Malaga 29071,Spain
Keywords:
LPA-LPA1 pathway receptor, stress, resilience, ageing, limbic system, LPA1 receptor.
Abstract: Background: Chronic stress affects health and the quality of life, with its effects
being particularly relevant in ageing due to the psychobiological characteristics of this population.
However, while some people develop psychiatric disorders, especially depression, others seem
very capable of dealing with adversity. There is no doubt that along with the identification of
neurobiological mechanisms involved in developing depression, discovering which factors are
involved in positive adaptation under circumstances of extreme difficulty will be crucial for
promoting resilience.
Methods: Here, we review recent work in our laboratory, using an animal model lacking the LPA1
receptor, together with pharmacological studies and clinical evidence for the possible participation
of the LPA1 receptor in mood and resilience to stress.
Results: Substantial evidence has shown that the LPA1 receptor is involved in emotional regulation
and in coping responses to chronic stress, which, if dysfunctional, may induce vulnerability to
stress and predisposition to the development of depression. Given that there is commonality of
mechanisms between those involved in negative consequences of stress and in ageing, this is not
surprising, considering that the LPA1 receptor may be involved in coping with adversity during
ageing.
Conclusion: Alterations in this receptor may be a susceptibility factor for the presence of depression
and cognitive deficits in the elderly population. However, because this is only a promising
hypothesis based on previous data, future studies should focus on the involvement of the LPA-LPA1
pathway in coping with stress and resilience in ageing.
