The influence of negative life events on hippocampal and amygdala volumes in old age: a life-course perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1219-1228 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Gerritsen ◽  
G. Kalpouzos ◽  
E. Westman ◽  
A. Simmons ◽  
L.-O. Wahlund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Intracranial Volume ◽  
Early Life Events

Background.Psychosocial stress has been related to changes in the nervous system, with both adaptive and maladaptive consequences. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of negative events experienced throughout the entire lifespan and hippocampal and amygdala volumes in older adults.Method.In 466 non-demented old adults (age range 60–96 years, 58% female), hippocampal and amygdala volumes were segmented using Freesurfer. Negative life events and the age at which these events occurred were assessed by means of a structured questionnaire. Using generalized linear models, hippocampal and amygdala volumes were estimated with life events as independent variables. The statistical analyses were adjusted for age, gender, intracranial volume, lifestyle factors, cardiovascular risk factors, depressive symptoms, and cognitive functioning.Results.Total number of negative life events and of late-life events, but not of early-life, early-adulthood, or middle-adulthood events, was related to larger amygdala volume. There were interactions of early-life events with age and gender. Participants who reported two or more early-life events had significantly smaller amygdala and hippocampal volumes with increasing age. Furthermore, smaller hippocampal volume was found in men who reported two or more early-life events, but not in women.Conclusions.These results suggest that the effect of negative life events on the brain depends on the time when the events occurred, with the strongest effects observed during the critical time periods of early and late life.

Early and late life events and salivary cortisol in older persons

2009 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 1569-1578 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Gerritsen ◽  
M. I. Geerlings ◽  
A. T. F. Beekman ◽  
D. J. H. Deeg ◽  
B. W. J. H. Penninx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Diurnal Variability ◽  
Morning Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Early Life Events

BackgroundIt has been hypothesized that stressful life events are associated with changes in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis regulation, which increases susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. We investigated the association of early and late life events with HPA axis regulation in older persons.MethodWithin the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) 1055 participants (47% male), aged 63–93 years, collected saliva within 30 min after waking and late in the evening. Early and late life events were assessed during a home interview. The associations between life events and cortisol levels were examined using linear regression and analysis of covariance with adjustments for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors and depressive symptoms.ResultsWithin our sample, the median morning and evening cortisol levels were 15.0 nmol/l [interdecile range (10–90%): 7.4–27.0 nmol/l] and 2.8 nmol/l (10–90%: 1.5–6.3 nmol/l), respectively. Persons who reported early life events showed lower levels of natural log-transformed morning cortisol [B=−0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.17 to −0.04] and flattened diurnal variability of cortisol (B=−1.06, 95% CI −2.05 to −0.08). Those reporting two or more late life events showed higher levels of natural log-transformed morning cortisol (B=0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.18) and higher diurnal variability (B=1.19, 95% CI 0.05–2.33). No associations were found with evening cortisol.ConclusionsThe results of this large population-based study of older persons suggest a differential association of early and late life events with HPA axis regulation; early life events were associated with a relative hypo-secretion of morning cortisol and flattened diurnal variability, while late life events were associated with elevated secretion of morning cortisol and high diurnal variability of cortisol.

Early-life events. Effects on aging

HORMONES ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eero Kajantie
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Events

The developing world of DOHaD

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Biomedical Science ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Early Life Events

Since its debut in a ground-breaking report by Barker and Osmond in 1986, the concept of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) has been further developed in several aspects. Its methodology and conclusions relating to proposed origins and outcomes of early life events have been developing and spreading internationally. Indeed, the DOHaD concept now seems to have influenced many fields of research. This article aims to briefly review why the DOHaD concept is important in biomedical science, how it has developed, is currently developing, and how it should develop in future.

Early life events and later risk of colorectal cancer: age-period-cohort modelling in the Nordic countries and Estonia

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Svensson ◽  
B. Møller ◽  
S. Tretli ◽  
L. Barlow ◽  
G. Engholm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Nordic Countries ◽  
Early Life Events

Early life events and motor development in childhood and adolescence: a longitudinal study

2016 ◽  
Vol 105 (5) ◽  
pp. e219-e227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tegan Grace ◽  
Max Bulsara ◽  
Monique Robinson ◽  
Beth Hands
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Early Life Events

scholarly journals Paediatrician’s guide to epigenetics

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Byrne ◽  
Amanda Jane Drake
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Normal Development ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Growth Development ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Early Life Events

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is critical for normal development. Dysregulation of the epigenome can lead to the development and progression of a number of diseases relevant to paediatricians, including disorders of genomic imprinting and malignancies. It has long been recognised that early life events have implications for future disease risk, and epigenetic modifications may play a role in this, although further high-quality research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms. Research in the field of epigenetics will contribute to a greater understanding of growth, development and disease; however, paediatricians need to be able to interpret such research critically, in order to use the potential advances brought about through epigenetic studies while appreciating their limitations.

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