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10/09/2014
The study, which has been conducted by a team at the University of Birmingham and published in the journal Immunity and Ageing, revealed how different generations cope with grief and loss.
It was found that young people have a more 'robust' immune response to the loss of a loved one, while the elderly are more likely to have a reduced immune function. As a result of the change in balance of stress hormones as a person ages, the older they become, the more likely they are to suffer from infections.
It is thought this is the first study to look at different generations and compare the relationship between stress hormones and immune function throughout different stages in a person's life.
Those who took part in the study were grieving for the loss of a loved one, such as a spouse or close family member, and the results suggest there is a possible relationship between neutrophil function and the balance of stress hormones.
Neutrophils are "the most abundant type of white blood cell and as such are essential at combating infections and illness," Dr Anna Phillips, Reader in Behavioural Medicine at the University of Birmingham, explained. However, following a bereavement, these levels can fall, meaning "we become vulnerable when this happens."
As for the stress hormones, there were two in particular which the study said appeared to show different responses to loss dependent on age – cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS).
In younger participants, the research found the ratio of cortisol and DHEAS was more balanced, whereas the cortisol:DHEAS ratio was significantly higher in the older study group.
Dr Phillips said: "During the difficult weeks and months after loss we can suffer from reduced neutrophil function. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and as such are essential at combating infections and illness, so we become vulnerable when this happens.
"The effects of loss are poorly understood on the whole – we know that it affects the immune system amongst other things – but we don't fully understand the role played by our stress hormones. We hope that this is a step towards that understanding, and being able to provide the best possible support."
Professor Janet Lord, Professor of Immune Cell Biology at the University of Birmingham, added: "Cortisol is known to suppress elements of the immune system during times of high stress, so having an unbalanced ratio of cortisol and DHEAS is going to affect how able we are to ward of illness and infection when grieving.
"But, of course, it is also incredibly useful – particularly in activating some anti-stress and anti-inflammation pathways – so it's not as simple as trying to suppress the cortisol in vulnerable people."
"The changing ratio is something we need to learn much more about, and need to test whether altering that balance artificially could be a short-term help at times of stress," Dr Philips concluded. "However, there is, quite simply, no substitute for a strong support network of family and friends to help manage the risks during a period of grieving."
(JP/IT)
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Age Affects How People React To Losing A Loved One - Study
A new study has found that age can alter how a person's immune function responds when a loved one dies.The study, which has been conducted by a team at the University of Birmingham and published in the journal Immunity and Ageing, revealed how different generations cope with grief and loss.
It was found that young people have a more 'robust' immune response to the loss of a loved one, while the elderly are more likely to have a reduced immune function. As a result of the change in balance of stress hormones as a person ages, the older they become, the more likely they are to suffer from infections.
It is thought this is the first study to look at different generations and compare the relationship between stress hormones and immune function throughout different stages in a person's life.
Those who took part in the study were grieving for the loss of a loved one, such as a spouse or close family member, and the results suggest there is a possible relationship between neutrophil function and the balance of stress hormones.
Neutrophils are "the most abundant type of white blood cell and as such are essential at combating infections and illness," Dr Anna Phillips, Reader in Behavioural Medicine at the University of Birmingham, explained. However, following a bereavement, these levels can fall, meaning "we become vulnerable when this happens."
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As for the stress hormones, there were two in particular which the study said appeared to show different responses to loss dependent on age – cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS).
In younger participants, the research found the ratio of cortisol and DHEAS was more balanced, whereas the cortisol:DHEAS ratio was significantly higher in the older study group.
Dr Phillips said: "During the difficult weeks and months after loss we can suffer from reduced neutrophil function. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and as such are essential at combating infections and illness, so we become vulnerable when this happens.
"The effects of loss are poorly understood on the whole – we know that it affects the immune system amongst other things – but we don't fully understand the role played by our stress hormones. We hope that this is a step towards that understanding, and being able to provide the best possible support."
Professor Janet Lord, Professor of Immune Cell Biology at the University of Birmingham, added: "Cortisol is known to suppress elements of the immune system during times of high stress, so having an unbalanced ratio of cortisol and DHEAS is going to affect how able we are to ward of illness and infection when grieving.
"But, of course, it is also incredibly useful – particularly in activating some anti-stress and anti-inflammation pathways – so it's not as simple as trying to suppress the cortisol in vulnerable people."
"The changing ratio is something we need to learn much more about, and need to test whether altering that balance artificially could be a short-term help at times of stress," Dr Philips concluded. "However, there is, quite simply, no substitute for a strong support network of family and friends to help manage the risks during a period of grieving."
(JP/IT)
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