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Ruge J, Ehlers MR, Kastrinogiannis A, Klingelhöfer-Jens M, Koppold A, Abend R, Lonsdorf TB. How adverse childhood experiences get under the skin: A systematic review, integration and methodological discussion on threat and reward learning mechanisms. eLife 2024; 13:e92700. [PMID: 39012794 PMCID: PMC11251725 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a major risk factor for the development of multiple psychopathological conditions, but the mechanisms underlying this link are poorly understood. Associative learning encompasses key mechanisms through which individuals learn to link important environmental inputs to emotional and behavioral responses. ACEs may impact the normative maturation of associative learning processes, resulting in their enduring maladaptive expression manifesting in psychopathology. In this review, we lay out a systematic and methodological overview and integration of the available evidence of the proposed association between ACEs and threat and reward learning processes. We summarize results from a systematic literature search (following PRISMA guidelines) which yielded a total of 81 articles (threat: n=38, reward: n=43). Across the threat and reward learning fields, behaviorally, we observed a converging pattern of aberrant learning in individuals with a history of ACEs, independent of other sample characteristics, specific ACE types, and outcome measures. Specifically, blunted threat learning was reflected in reduced discrimination between threat and safety cues, primarily driven by diminished responding to conditioned threat cues. Furthermore, attenuated reward learning manifested in reduced accuracy and learning rate in tasks involving acquisition of reward contingencies. Importantly, this pattern emerged despite substantial heterogeneity in ACE assessment and operationalization across both fields. We conclude that blunted threat and reward learning may represent a mechanistic route by which ACEs may become physiologically and neurobiologically embedded and ultimately confer greater risk for psychopathology. In closing, we discuss potentially fruitful future directions for the research field, including methodological and ACE assessment considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ruge
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Systems NeuroscienceHamburgGermany
| | | | - Alexandros Kastrinogiannis
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Systems NeuroscienceHamburgGermany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzigGermany
| | - Maren Klingelhöfer-Jens
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Systems NeuroscienceHamburgGermany
- University of BielefeldBielefeldGermany
| | - Alina Koppold
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Systems NeuroscienceHamburgGermany
| | | | - Tina B Lonsdorf
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Systems NeuroscienceHamburgGermany
- University of BielefeldBielefeldGermany
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Trujillo-Llano C, Sainz-Ballesteros A, Suarez-Ardila F, Gonzalez-Gadea ML, Ibáñez A, Herrera E, Baez S. Neuroanatomical markers of social cognition in neglected adolescents. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 31:100642. [PMID: 38800539 PMCID: PMC11127280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Growing up in neglectful households can impact multiple aspects of social cognition. However, research on neglect's effects on social cognition processes and their neuroanatomical correlates during adolescence is scarce. Here, we aimed to comprehensively assess social cognition processes (recognition of basic and contextual emotions, theory of mind, the experience of envy and Schadenfreude and empathy for pain) and their structural brain correlates in adolescents with legal neglect records within family-based care. First, we compared neglected adolescents (n = 27) with control participants (n = 25) on context-sensitive social cognition tasks while controlling for physical and emotional abuse and executive and intellectual functioning. Additionally, we explored the grey matter correlates of these domains through voxel-based morphometry. Compared to controls, neglected adolescents exhibited lower performance in contextual emotional recognition and theory of mind, higher levels of envy and Schadenfreude and diminished empathy. Physical and emotional abuse and executive or intellectual functioning did not explain these effects. Moreover, social cognition scores correlated with brain volumes in regions subserving social cognition and emotional processing. Our results underscore the potential impact of neglect on different aspects of social cognition during adolescence, emphasizing the necessity for preventive and intervention strategies to address these deficits in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Trujillo-Llano
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Agustín Sainz-Ballesteros
- Department of Psychology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
- Department for High-Field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - María Luz Gonzalez-Gadea
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustín Ibáñez
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Latin American Brain Health (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
- Global Brain Health Institute, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eduar Herrera
- Universidad Icesi, Departamento de Estudios Psicológicos, Cali, Colombia
| | - Sandra Baez
- Global Brain Health Institute, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Eng GK, De Nadai AS, Collins KA, Recchia N, Tobe RH, Bragdon LB, Stern ER. Identifying subgroups of urge suppression in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder using machine learning. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 177:129-139. [PMID: 39004004 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.06.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is phenomenologically heterogeneous. While predominant models suggest fear and harm prevention drive compulsions, many patients also experience uncomfortable sensory-based urges ("sensory phenomena") that may be associated with heightened interoceptive sensitivity. Using an urge-to-blink eyeblink suppression paradigm to model sensory-based urges, we previously found that OCD patients as a group had more eyeblink suppression failures and greater activation of sensorimotor-interoceptive regions than controls. However, conventional approaches assuming OCD homogeneity may obscure important within-group variability, impeding precision treatment development. This study investigated the heterogeneity of urge suppression failure in OCD and examined relationships with clinical characteristics and neural activation. Eighty-two patients with OCD and 38 controls underwent an fMRI task presenting 60-s blocks of eyeblink suppression alternating with free-blinking blocks. Latent profile analysis identified OCD subgroups based on number of erroneous blinks during suppression. Subgroups were compared on behavior, clinical characteristics, and brain activation during task. Three patient subgroups were identified. Despite similar overall OCD severity, the subgroup with the most erroneous eyeblinks had the highest sensory phenomena severity, interoceptive sensitivity, and subjective urge intensity. Compared to other subgroups, this subgroup exhibited more neural activity in somatosensory and interoceptive regions during the early phase (first 30 s) of blink suppression and reduced activity in the middle frontal gyrus during the late phase (second 30 s) as the suppression period elapsed. Heterogeneity of urge suppression in OCD was associated with clinical characteristics and brain function. Our results reveal potential treatment targets that could inform personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goi Khia Eng
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, 10016, USA; Clinical Research Division, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, New York, 10962, USA.
| | - Alessandro S De Nadai
- Simches Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Katherine A Collins
- Clinical Research Division, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, New York, 10962, USA
| | - Nicolette Recchia
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, 10016, USA; Clinical Research Division, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, New York, 10962, USA
| | - Russell H Tobe
- Clinical Research Division, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, New York, 10962, USA; Center for the Developing Brain, Child Mind Institute, New York, 10022, USA
| | - Laura B Bragdon
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, 10016, USA; Clinical Research Division, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, New York, 10962, USA
| | - Emily R Stern
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, 10016, USA; Clinical Research Division, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, New York, 10962, USA; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, 10016, USA
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Jayawardene W, Lohrmann D, Agley J, Jun M, Gassman R. Adverse Childhood Experience-Related Conditions and Substance Use in Adolescents: A Secondary Analysis of Cross-Sectional Survey Data. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2024; 94:385-394. [PMID: 38282025 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) cluster within children. In addition to standardized ACE measures, there exist "ACE-related" measures that are either directly or indirectly related to the standardized ACE constructs. This study aimed to identify ACE-related latent classes of adolescents and describe past-month substance use in each class by sex and race/ethnicity. METHODS Data from the 2018 Indiana Youth Survey (N = 70,703), which is a repeated self-administered, cross-sectional survey, were used. Latent class analysis was conducted using ACE-related family (parent incarceration, insulting/yelling within family, inability to discuss personal problems) and school (hate being in school, feeling unsafe, inability to talk to teachers one-on-one) items. Dependent variable combined past 30-day use-frequency of 17 substances. Two-way analysis of variances examined ACE by sex and race/ethnicity interaction. RESULTS Four ACE-related classes emerged: "Family-Only" (11.2%), "School-Only" (16.5%), "Family-School" (8.0%), and "No-ACE" (64.3%). Substance use was highest in "Family-School" (mean = 0.67); lowest in "No-ACE" (mean = 0.21). Significant race/ethnicity (F = 27.06; p < .0001), ACE * sex interaction (F = 12.13; p < .0001) and ACE * race/ethnicity interaction (F = 4.57; p < .0001) effects emerged. Within each ACE-related class, substance use was lowest for Asians and highest for Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS Adverse childhood experience-related items cluster within children across school and family environments and clustering differs by race/ethnicity, but not by sex. Incorporating ACE-related items into school surveys enhances the ability to implement interventions that target relationships between ACEs and substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasantha Jayawardene
- School of Human Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 323C Pulliam Hall, 475 Clocktower Drive, Carbondale, IL, 62901
| | - David Lohrmann
- Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
| | - Jon Agley
- Institute for Research on Addictive Behavior, Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
| | - Mikyoung Jun
- Institute for Research on Addictive Behavior, Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
| | - Ruth Gassman
- Institute for Research on Addictive Behavior, Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
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Chen S, Yin Y, Zhang Y, Yue Y, Jiang W, Hou Z, Yuan Y. Abnormal spontaneous activity of regions related to mood regulation mediates the effect of childhood emotional neglect on major depressive disorder. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2023; 336:111729. [PMID: 37890409 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the mediating factors between childhood emotional neglect (EN) and major depressive disorder (MDD) and whether combining multi-indicator could help diagnose MDD. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and clinical features were compared between 33 MDD patients and 36 healthy controls (HC). Mediation analysis was employed to explore whether social support or ReHo mediates the association between EN and MDD. The linear discriminant analysis model was constructed with EN, social support, and ReHo, and applied to distinguish MDD from HC in both primary and replication cohorts. We found that MDD patients experienced severer EN and poorer social support, and exhibited lower ReHo in the left middle occipital gyrus and bilateral postcentral gyrus, and higher ReHo in the right cerebellum crus1. EN could affect MDD directly and indirectly through ReHo in these discrepant brain regions and social support. Combining ReHo values of these four distinct brain regions, EN, and objective support could classify MDD patients from HC, and the 10-fold cross-validation accuracy within-study replication and in the independent cohort was 83.78 % ± 1.49 % and 82.72 % ± 2.22 %, respectively. These findings suggested that childhood EN, social support, and emotional-related regions' ReHo were associated with risks of MDD, providing new insights into the pathological mechanisms underlying MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzhen Chen
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingying Yin
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuqun Zhang
- School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingying Yue
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhao Jiang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenghua Hou
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yonggui Yuan
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
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Burani K, Brush CJ, Spahr C, Slavich GM, Meyer A, Hajcak G. Corporal Punishment Is Uniquely Associated With a Greater Neural Response to Errors and Blunted Neural Response to Rewards in Adolescence. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2023; 8:210-218. [PMID: 36152947 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although corporal punishment is a common form of punishment with known negative impacts on health and behavior, how such punishment affects neurocognitive systems is relatively unknown. METHODS To address this issue, we examined how corporal punishment affected neural measures of error and reward processing in 149 adolescent boys and girls of ages 11 to 14 years (mean age [SD] = 11.02 [1.16]). Corporal punishment experienced over the lifetime was assessed using the Stress and Adversity Inventory. In addition, participants completed a flankers task and a reward task to measure the error-related negativity and reward positivity, respectively, as well as measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms. RESULTS As hypothesized, participants who experienced lifetime corporal punishment reported more anxiety and depressive symptoms. Experiencing corporal punishment was also related to a larger error-related negativity and blunted reward positivity. Importantly, corporal punishment was independently related to a larger error-related negativity and a more blunted reward positivity beyond the impact of harsh parenting and lifetime stressors. CONCLUSIONS Corporal punishment appears to potentiate neural response to errors and decrease neural response to rewards, which could increase risk for anxiety and depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kreshnik Burani
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
| | - C J Brush
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Chandler Spahr
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, California
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Alexandria Meyer
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Greg Hajcak
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
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Chen P, Zhang Q, Sun X, Ye X, Wang Y, Yang X. How do childhood abuse and neglect affect prosocial behavior? The mediating roles of different empathic components. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1051258. [PMID: 36733881 PMCID: PMC9888366 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Childhood abuse and neglect are typically considered as two different forms of maltreatment. Previous international studies have found differential effects of abuse and neglect on prosocial behavior, but this and the mediating pathway underlying these associations have not been examined in a Chinese sample. Our study aims to examine the effects of childhood abuse and neglect on prosocial behavior in Chinese participants and test the unique mediating roles of different empathic components in these associations. Methods A total of 1,569 young adults (average age = 18.17 years) were recruited from a college that enrolls students from all provinces of China. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and Prosocial Tendencies Measure. Path analysis was conducted to determine the mediational relationships. Results Emotional neglect had significant direct effect on prosocial behavior (β = -0.108, p < 0.001), and could also impact prosocial behavior through the mediating roles of perspective-taking and empathic concern (effect size = -0.091 and -0.097 respectively, p < 0.001). Emotional abuse affected prosocial behavior only through personal distress (effect size = -0.072, p < 0.001). Physical abuse, sexual abuse and physical neglect have little effect on prosocial behavior and empathy. Conclusion Childhood abuse and neglect have distinct influences on prosocial behavior. Emotional abuse and emotional neglect affect prosocial behavior through distinct pathways. This conclusion could help to establish precise interventions for improving prosocial behavior in maltreated individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyi Chen
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiaofen Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiyuan Sun
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyang Ye
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - You Wang
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,Department of Psychiatry, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: You Wang, ✉
| | - Xueling Yang
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,Department of Psychiatry, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,Xueling Yang, ✉
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Using Microbiome-Based Approaches to Deprogram Chronic Disorders and Extend the Healthspan following Adverse Childhood Experiences. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020229. [PMID: 35208684 PMCID: PMC8879770 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which can include child trafficking, are known to program children for disrupted biological cycles, premature aging, microbiome dysbiosis, immune-inflammatory misregulation, and chronic disease multimorbidity. To date, the microbiome has not been a major focus of deprogramming efforts despite its emerging role in every aspect of ACE-related dysbiosis and dysfunction. This article examines: (1) the utility of incorporating microorganism-based, anti-aging approaches to combat ACE-programmed chronic diseases (also known as noncommunicable diseases and conditions, NCDs) and (2) microbiome regulation of core systems biology cycles that affect NCD comorbid risk. In this review, microbiota influence over three key cyclic rhythms (circadian cycles, the sleep cycle, and the lifespan/longevity cycle) as well as tissue inflammation and oxidative stress are discussed as an opportunity to deprogram ACE-driven chronic disorders. Microbiota, particularly those in the gut, have been shown to affect host–microbe interactions regulating the circadian clock, sleep quality, as well as immune function/senescence, and regulation of tissue inflammation. The microimmunosome is one of several systems biology targets of gut microbiota regulation. Furthermore, correcting misregulated inflammation and increased oxidative stress is key to protecting telomere length and lifespan/longevity and extending what has become known as the healthspan. This review article concludes that to reverse the tragedy of ACE-programmed NCDs and premature aging, managing the human holobiont microbiome should become a routine part of healthcare and preventative medicine across the life course.
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