An investigation into early-life stress and cognitive function in older age

ABSTRACTEarly-life stress (ELS) has previously been identified as a risk factor for cognitive decline, but this work has predominantly focused on clinical groups and indexed traditional cognitive domains. It, therefore, remains unclear whether ELS is related to cognitive function in healthy community-dwelling older adults, as well as whether any effects of ELS also extend to social cognition. To test each of these questions, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was administered to 484 older adults along with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and a well-validated test of social cognitive function. The results revealed no differences in global cognition according to overall experiences of ELS. However, a closer examination into the different ELS subscales showed that global cognition was poorer in those who had experienced physical neglect (relative to those who had not). Social cognitive function did not differ according to experiences to ELS. These results indicate that the relationship between ELS and cognition in older age may be dependent on the nature of the trauma experienced.

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Changes in cognitive function in women with HIV infection and early life stress

AIDS Care ◽

10.1080/09540121.2016.1204417 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 14-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Georgina Spies ◽

Christine Fennema-Notestine ◽

Mariana Cherner ◽

Soraya Seedat

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Life Stress ◽

Early Life ◽

Early Life Stress ◽

Women With Hiv

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The Association Between Dietary Pattern Adherence, Cognitive Stimulating Lifestyle, and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults From the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gbaa178 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew D Parrott ◽

Pierre-Hugues Carmichael ◽

Danielle Laurin ◽

Carol E Greenwood ◽

Nicole D Anderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Dietary Patterns ◽

Dietary Pattern ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Primary Effect ◽

Western Dietary Pattern ◽

Global Cognition

Abstract Objectives This study examined the effect of dietary patterns and engagement in cognitive stimulating lifestyle (CSL) behaviors on the trajectory of global cognition, executive function (EF), and verbal episodic memory (VEM). Methods Western and prudent dietary patterns were empirically derived using food frequency questionnaire responses from 350 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 73.7 years) participating in the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging. CSL was represented by a binary composite indicator based on education, occupational complexity, and social engagement. Global cognition, EF, and VEM were assessed prospectively. Results Primary effect models revealed an association between higher Western dietary pattern score and a greater rate of decline in global cognition and EF. Higher Western dietary pattern adherence was also associated with poorer baseline VEM. Primary effect models also revealed that CSL was independently associated with baseline global cognition and EF. Effect modification models suggested an interactive effect between Western dietary pattern and CLS on global cognition only. No associations were found for prudent dietary pattern score. Discussion Contributing to existing research supporting the negative impact of consuming an unhealthy diet on cognitive function, the current study suggests increased vulnerability among older adults who do not engage in a CSL. These findings can inform the development of lifestyle intervention programs that target brain health in later adulthood.

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Chronic early life stress alters developmental and adult neurogenesis and impairs cognitive function in mice

Hippocampus ◽

10.1002/hipo.22374 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 309-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 136

Author(s):

Eva F.G. Naninck ◽

Lianne Hoeijmakers ◽

Nefeli Kakava-Georgiadou ◽

Astrid Meesters ◽

Stanley E. Lazic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Adult Neurogenesis ◽

Life Stress ◽

Early Life ◽

Early Life Stress

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Effects of early life stress on depression, cognitive performance and brain morphology

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291716002403 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 171-181 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

A. Saleh ◽

G. G. Potter ◽

D. R. McQuoid ◽

B. Boyd ◽

R. Turner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cortical Thickness ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Life Stress ◽

Early Life ◽

Neuropsychological Testing ◽

Early Life Stress ◽

Brain Morphology

BackgroundChildhood early life stress (ELS) increases risk of adulthood major depressive disorder (MDD) and is associated with altered brain structure and function. It is unclear whether specific ELSs affect depression risk, cognitive function and brain structure.MethodThis cross-sectional study included 64 antidepressant-free depressed and 65 never-depressed individuals. Both groups reported a range of ELSs on the Early Life Stress Questionnaire, completed neuropsychological testing and 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neuropsychological testing assessed domains of episodic memory, working memory, processing speed and executive function. MRI measures included cortical thickness and regional gray matter volumes, with a priori focus on the cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), amygdala, caudate and hippocampus.ResultsOf 19 ELSs, only emotional abuse, sexual abuse and severe family conflict independently predicted adulthood MDD diagnosis. The effect of total ELS score differed between groups. Greater ELS exposure was associated with slower processing speed and smaller OFC volumes in depressed subjects, but faster speed and larger volumes in non-depressed subjects. In contrast, exposure to ELSs predictive of depression had similar effects in both diagnostic groups. Individuals reporting predictive ELSs exhibited poorer processing speed and working memory performance, smaller volumes of the lateral OFC and caudate, and decreased cortical thickness in multiple areas including the insula bilaterally. Predictive ELS exposure was also associated with smaller left hippocampal volume in depressed subjects.ConclusionsFindings suggest an association between childhood trauma exposure and adulthood cognitive function and brain structure. These relationships appear to differ between individuals who do and do not develop depression.

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331 - Global cognition modified the relationship between Anemia and Depression in old age: longitudinal analysis from The IMIAS Study

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220002318 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (S1) ◽

pp. 90-90

Author(s):

Tamer Ahmed ◽

Helen-Maria Vasiliadis

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

International Mobility ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Global Cognition ◽

Longitudinal Relationships ◽

Poor Cognition

Running head:role of global cognition in the association between Anemia and depression.Background:We examined the longitudinal relationships between hemoglobin concentrations or Anemia and depression and whether baseline cognitive function modifies these longitudinal relationships over 4 years of follow-up.Methods:A total of 1608 community-dwelling older adults from the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) aged 65 to 74 years were recruited in Natal (Brazil), Manizales (Colombia), Kingston (Ontario, Canada), and Saint-Hyacinthe (Quebec, Canada). The study outcome was depression, defined by a score of 16 or over in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Longitudinal associations over four years follow-up were examined using generalized estimating equations. Models reported were either unadjusted and adjusted for research sites, alcohol drinking status, body mass index, chronic conditions, activities of daily life disabilities, and polypharmacy.Results:Longuitinal relationships suggested an evidence of multiplicative interaction by baseline global cognition in which 1g/dL increase in hemoglobin concentrations there was a significant reduction in the risk of depression with a stronger effect among participants with good cognitive function (Odds Ratio (OR)=0.85, 95% CI: 0.78-0.92) compared to those with poor cognition (OR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.97). Anemia and poor cognition at baseline were associated with an increased risk of depression over four years of follow-up (OR=5.80, 95% CI: 1.84-18.23). Global cognition was also an effect modifier of the longitudinal association between the severity of Anemia and depression.Conclusion:In international samples of older adults, hemoglobin concentrations, as well as the severity of Anemia, were independent risk factors for depression, and these associations differed by global cognitive function.

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Effects of early-life stress on cognitive function and hippocampal structure in female rodents

Neuroscience ◽

10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.08.024 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 342 ◽

pp. 101-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

M. Loi ◽

J.C.L. Mossink ◽

G.F. Meerhoff ◽

J.L. Den Blaauwen ◽

P.J. Lucassen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Life Stress ◽

Early Life ◽

Early Life Stress ◽

Hippocampal Structure

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P.3.003 Chronic early-life stress programs hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function: a role for epigenetics?

European Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1016/s0924-977x(13)70067-1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 ◽

pp. S59-S60

Author(s):

E.F.G. Naninck ◽

L. Hoeijmakers ◽

M. Engel ◽

P.J. Lucassen ◽

A. Korosi

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Life Stress ◽

Early Life ◽

Early Life Stress ◽

Hippocampal Neurogenesis

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The Effects of Early Life Stress, Postnatal Diet Modulation, and Long-Term Western-Style Diet on Later-Life Metabolic and Cognitive Outcomes

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12020570 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 570 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maralinde R. Abbink ◽

Lidewij Schipper ◽

Eva F.G. Naninck ◽

Cato M.H. de Vos ◽

Romy Meier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Life Stress ◽

Early Life ◽

Early Life Stress ◽

Later Life ◽

Dietary Lipids ◽

Cognitive Outcomes ◽

Milk Formula ◽

Structural Level ◽

Early Life Exposure

Early life stress (ES) increases the risk to develop metabolic and brain disorders in adulthood. Breastfeeding (exclusivity and duration) is associated with improved metabolic and neurocognitive health outcomes, and the physical properties of the dietary lipids may contribute to this. Here, we tested whether early life exposure to dietary lipids mimicking some physical characteristics of breastmilk (i.e., large, phospholipid-coated lipid droplets; Concept Nuturis® infant milk formula (N-IMF)), could protect against ES-induced metabolic and brain abnormalities under standard circumstances, and in response to prolonged Western-style diet (WSD) in adulthood. ES was induced by exposing mice to limited nesting material from postnatal day (P) 2 to P9. From P16 to P42, male offspring were fed a standard IMF (S-IMF) or N-IMF, followed by either standard rodent diet (SD) or WSD until P230. We then assessed body composition development, fat mass, metabolic hormones, hippocampus-dependent cognitive function, and neurogenesis (proliferation and survival). Prolonged WSD resulted in an obesogenic phenotype at P230, which was not modulated by previous ES or N-IMF exposure. Nevertheless, ES and N-IMF modulated the effect of WSD on neurogenesis at P230, without affecting cognitive function, highlighting programming effects of the early life environment on the hippocampal response to later life challenges at a structural level.

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Family Relationships and Cognitive Function Among Community-Dwelling U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Research on Aging ◽

10.1177/0164027520939250 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 37-46

Author(s):

Mengting Li ◽

Man Guo ◽

Meredith Stensland ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Family Relationships ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Service Providers ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sociocultural Factors ◽

Global Cognition

A broad literature has explored racial disparities in cognitive aging. Research incorporating sociocultural factors would provide a more comprehensive understanding of minority aging. This study aims to investigate the role of family typology in cognition among U.S. Chinese immigrants. Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). Family typology included tight-knit, unobligated ambivalent, commanding conflicted, and detached typologies. Cognition was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Linear and quantile regressions were used. Older adults with detached and commanding conflicted typologies reported lower global cognition than those with unobligated ambivalent typology. Detached, commanding conflicted, and tight-knit typologies were associated with poorer performance in episodic memory, working memory and MMSE than unobligated ambivalent typology, respectively. Social service providers could be aware of multifaceted family relationships when developing interventions for cognitive function and understand family typology as a whole.

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Global Cognition Modified the Longitudinal Relationship Between Anemia and Depression in Old Age: The IMIAS Study

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.546 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 168-169

Author(s):

Tamer Ahmed ◽

Helen-Maria Vasiliadis

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

International Mobility ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Global Cognition ◽

Longitudinal Relationships ◽

Poor Cognition

Abstract Background: We examined the longitudinal relationships between hemoglobin concentrations or the severity of anemia and depression and whether baseline cognitive function modifies these longitudinal relationships over 4 years of follow-up. Methods: A total of 1608 community-dwelling older adults from the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) aged 65 to 74 years were recruited in Natal (Brazil), Manizales (Colombia), Kingston (Ontario, Canada), and Saint-Hyacinthe (Quebec, Canada). The study outcome was depression, defined by a score of 16 or over in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Longitudinal associations over four years follow-up were examined using generalized estimating equations. Models reported were either unadjusted and adjusted for research sites, alcohol drinking status, body mass index, chronic conditions, activities of daily life disabilities, and polypharmacy. Results: Longuitinal relationships suggested an evidence of multiplicative interaction by baseline global cognition in which 1g/dL increase in hemoglobin concentrations there was a significant reduction in the risk of depression with a stronger effect among participants with good cognitive function (Odds Ratio (OR)=0.85, 95% CI: 0.78-0.92) compared to those with poor cognition (OR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.97). Anemia and poor cognition at baseline were associated with an increased risk of depression over 4 years of follow-up (OR=5.80, 95% CI: 1.84-18.23). Global cognition was an effect modifier of the longitudinal association between the severity of anemia and depression. Conclusion: In international samples of older adults, hemoglobin concentrations, as well as the severity of anemia, were independent risk factors for depression and these associations differed by global cognitive function.

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