The article discusses the currently available data on the impact of psychosocial or psychoemotional stress (PES) as an important factor influencing the rate of human aging. It presents data on the mechanisms through which PES affects the speed of human aging. These mechanisms are driven by neuroendocrine responses, which are mediated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The article provides a detailed discussion of research findings focused on evaluating the complex relationship between PES and epigenetic aging. Neuroendocrine mediators are involved in the development of various physiological and pathological reactions that may play a significant role in biological aging. A key role in the alteration of aging rates under the influence of PES is played by corticosteroid hormones, which are released into the bloodstream in response to stress factors. The article also examines data on the so-called hormesis effect of PES, i.e. a protective effect of stress factors that, when acting for a short duration, lead to an increase in lifespan. Furthermore, PES does not always result in long-term negative health consequences if an individual has sufficient reserves, allowing them to effectively respond to and/or recover from the stressor.

Vitamin D, a fat-soluble micronutrient, plays a crucial role not only in maintaining calcium-phosphorus metabolism but also in regulating a wide range of biological processes, including immune response, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In recent years, its role in modulating chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular aging processes has attracted significant research attention. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread in the population, particularly in regions with low levels of solar insolation, making it one of the key challenges in modern medicine. Epidemiological data indicate an association between low vitamin D levels and the development of age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain incompletely understood. In particular, the role of vitamin D in regulating telomere length, telomerase activity, and other biomarkers of cellular aging has not been sufficiently studied. Given the increasing prevalence of age-related diseases and the need to identify effective prevention strategies, investigating the impact of vitamin D on aging processes is highly relevant.

Cognitive tests are standardized tasks that allow quantifying various aspects of human higher nervous activity. They are widely used to diagnose cognitive impairments in neurological and mental illnesses, as well as to monitor agerelated cognitive changes. Each test aims at specific cognitive domains — memory, attention, executive functions, information processing speed, etc. Together, they provide a holistic view of the cognitive profile of the subject. This review article examines the most commonly used cognitive tests, from ACE-III type screening batteries to specialized tests for memory, attention and motor-perceptual skills. The principles of their implementation and their diagnostic value in population studies and clinical practice are discussed for assessing cognitive functions during normal aging.

BACKGROUND. The reduction in mass and function of paraspinal muscles and its contribution to axial instability and the development of back pain has become an active area of research. However, current diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia have limitations when applied to spinal sarcopenia. The condition of the spinal muscular system in patients with chronic back pain and degenerative spine disorders is of interest not only for treatment but also for disease prevention.

OBJECTIVE. To assess the paraspinal muscle mass in patients with low back pain across different age groups using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 93 patients with low back pain were included in the study: young adults (n = 35, Me: 36.00 [30.00–42.00]), middle-aged (n = 30, Me: 50.00 [46.50–56.25]), and elderly patients (n = 28, Me: 66.00 [62.50–71.00]). Back pain intensity was measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, mm), and spinal function was assessed using the Backache Index (BAI). Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration was evaluated via MRI according to the Pfirrmann classification (2001). The cross-sectional areas of paraspinal muscles (psoas major, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum) were measured on axial MRI slices at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3). The muscle-to-vertebral index (MVI) was calculated by dividing the total cross-sectional area of the three paired muscles (Sm, cm2) by the crosssectional area of the L3 vertebral body at its superior endplate (Sv, cm²):  MVI = (Smdextra + sinistra) / Sv. The anterior-posterior body dimension was also measured on sagittal slices at the upper edge of L3.

RESULTS. Chronic back pain was reported in 80%, 83.3%, and 86.7% of the young, middle-aged, and elderly groups, respectively. The BAI scores indicating significant spinal dysfunction (0.80 [0.47–0.90], 0.67 [0.50–0.77], and 0.80 [0.65–1.00] respectively) positively correlated with VAS pain intensity across all subjects (r = 0.55, p < 0.0001). Obesity was twice as prevalent among elderly patients compared to younger and middle-aged individuals (30.0% vs. 14.3% and 16.7%, respectively). The mass of the paraspinal muscles according to the average MVI values in the groups was statistically lower in middleaged (p = 0.025) and elderly (p = 0.0001) individuals. Asymmetry of the quadratus lumborum muscle (right side larger than left) was identified in all patients (p < 0.05). An age-related increase in the cross-sectional area of the L3 vertebral body endplate was also found (p = 0.0003). A positive correlation was observed between the anterior-posterior torso dimension and the stage of IVD degeneration at L5–S1 (р = 0.054; r = 0.29).

CONCLUSION. Paraspinal muscle mass in patients with back pain and degenerative spine disease decreases with age (p < 0.05), as reflected by reduced MVI values on MRI. The MVI is an effective tool for evaluating paraspinal muscle loss. Altered motor patterns lead to chronic imbalance and asymmetry of the quadratus lumborum muscle in all age groups studied. The increase in the vertebral body’s endplate area may reflect adaptive changes aimed at maintaining axial spinal stability. The positive correlation between the anterior-posterior body dimension and IVD degeneration suggests a contribution of the musculoskeletal-visceral component to the condition of the lumbar spinal motion segment.