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Nkwata AK, Smith J. Early learning difficulties, childhood stress, race, and risk of cognitive impairment among US adults over age 50: A cross-sectional analysis. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1756. [PMID: 38093828 PMCID: PMC10716572 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Most literature linking childhood factors to cognitive health outcomes has focused on educational attainment-defined as years of education attained. However, less has been studied about the other aspects of education, such as early learning problems, and stressful family environments. This study examined whether early learning problems and childhood stressors were associated with mid- and later life cognitive impairment among US adults, and if these associations varied by race. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) along with respondents' early educational experiences from the 2015 to 2017 Life History Mail Survey (N = 9703). Early learning problems were defined as having any of the following: scholastic problems (reading, writing, mathematics), speaking/language issues, and sensorimotor issues- hearing, vision, speech, and motor-coordination. Cognitive status was classified as three levels (normal, cognitively impaired not demented [CIND], and demented) using the HRS Langa-Weir algorithm. Multinomial logistic regression models using generalized logits, estimated relative risk ratios (RRRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with adjustment for sociodemographic factors. Results Having at least one early learning problem was associated with increased risk of later life cognitive impairment (RRR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.34-2.29 for dementia, RRR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.20-1.67 for CIND). Parental death before the age of 16 was associated with 17% higher risk of CIND in later life (RRR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.34). However, learning problem-related differences in risk of cognitive impairment were dependent on race (learning problems × race, p = 0.0001). In the demented group, Blacks were 2.7 times more likely to be demented (RRR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.69-4.17) amongst older adults that experienced childhood learning problems. Conclusions Early life exposures predicted risk of cognitive impairment. Policies and interventions that enhance diagnosis of early learning problems and improve childhood social contexts are needed to promote healthy cognitive aging amongst Americans, regardless of race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan K. Nkwata
- Institute for Social ResearchUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Jacqui Smith
- Institute for Social ResearchUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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Luo J, Beam CR, Gatz M. Is Stress an Overlooked Risk Factor for Dementia? A Systematic Review from a Lifespan Developmental Perspective. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2023; 24:936-949. [PMID: 35622193 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-022-01385-1] [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] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Stress exposure and stress reactivity may be potent factors associated with increased risk of dementia. The 2017 Lancet Commission on Dementia and its 2020 update reviewed modifiable risk factors associated with dementia, but stress was not addressed directly. The present study provides a focused review of the association between stress and dementia across the lifespan, with measures of stress including stress exposure, psychological stress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and biological markers of stress. Published research articles were identified in the American Psychological Association PsycINFO database (1887-2021), Web of Science database, and Google Scholar. A total of 53 samples from 40 studies published from 1985 to 2020 met inclusion criteria. Results suggest that stressful life events that occur earlier in the lifespan, such as loss of a parent, psychological stress experienced in midlife, and extreme stress responses, i.e., PTSD, correlate with higher risk of dementia. Although results generally are mixed, a consistent theme is that stress experienced earlier in the lifespan and chronic stress portend the greatest risk of dementia. Reducing stress exposure and improving stress management when stress exposure cannot be changed are thus relevant strategies in dementia risk reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Luo
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Christopher R Beam
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1061, USA
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0191, USA
| | - Margaret Gatz
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1061, USA
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-3332, USA
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Reemst K, Kracht L, Kotah JM, Rahimian R, van Irsen AAS, Congrains Sotomayor G, Verboon LN, Brouwer N, Simard S, Turecki G, Mechawar N, Kooistra SM, Eggen BJL, Korosi A. Early-life stress lastingly impacts microglial transcriptome and function under basal and immune-challenged conditions. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:507. [PMID: 36481769 PMCID: PMC9731997 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02265-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) leads to increased vulnerability to psychiatric disorders including depression later in life. Neuroinflammatory processes have been implicated in ELS-induced negative health outcomes, but how ELS impacts microglia, the main tissue-resident macrophages of the central nervous system, is unknown. Here, we determined the effects of ELS-induced by limited bedding and nesting material during the first week of life (postnatal days [P]2-9) on microglial (i) morphology; (ii) hippocampal gene expression; and (iii) synaptosome phagocytic capacity in male pups (P9) and adult (P200) mice. The hippocampus of ELS-exposed adult mice displayed altered proportions of morphological subtypes of microglia, as well as microglial transcriptomic changes related to the tumor necrosis factor response and protein ubiquitination. ELS exposure leads to distinct gene expression profiles during microglial development from P9 to P200 and in response to an LPS challenge at P200. Functionally, synaptosomes from ELS-exposed mice were phagocytosed less by age-matched microglia. At P200, but not P9, ELS microglia showed reduced synaptosome phagocytic capacity when compared to control microglia. Lastly, we confirmed the ELS-induced increased expression of the phagocytosis-related gene GAS6 that we observed in mice, in the dentate gyrus of individuals with a history of child abuse using in situ hybridization. These findings reveal persistent effects of ELS on microglial function and suggest that altered microglial phagocytic capacity is a key contributor to ELS-induced phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitty Reemst
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, Brain Plasticity Group, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH The Netherlands
| | - Laura Kracht
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Janssen M. Kotah
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, Brain Plasticity Group, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH The Netherlands
| | - Reza Rahimian
- grid.412078.80000 0001 2353 5268McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1 Canada
| | - Astrid A. S. van Irsen
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, Brain Plasticity Group, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH The Netherlands
| | - Gonzalo Congrains Sotomayor
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, Brain Plasticity Group, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH The Netherlands
| | - Laura N. Verboon
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, Brain Plasticity Group, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH The Netherlands
| | - Nieske Brouwer
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie Simard
- grid.412078.80000 0001 2353 5268McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1 Canada
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- grid.412078.80000 0001 2353 5268McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1 Canada
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- grid.412078.80000 0001 2353 5268McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1 Canada
| | - Susanne M. Kooistra
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bart J. L. Eggen
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Aniko Korosi
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, Brain Plasticity Group, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, The Netherlands.
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Bachiller S, Hidalgo I, Garcia MG, Boza-Serrano A, Paulus A, Denis Q, Haikal C, Manouchehrian O, Klementieva O, Li JY, Pronk CJ, Gouras GK, Deierborg T. Early-life stress elicits peripheral and brain immune activation differently in wild type and 5xFAD mice in a sex-specific manner. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:151. [PMID: 35705972 PMCID: PMC9199174 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02515-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) is modulated by genetic and environmental factors. Early-life stress (ELS) exposure during critical periods of brain development can impact later brain function and health, including increasing the risk of developing AD. Microglial dysfunction and neuroinflammation have been implicated as playing a role in AD pathology and may be modulated by ELS. To complicate matters further, sex-specific effects have been noted in response to ELS and in the incidence and progression of AD. METHODS Here, we subjected male and female mice with either a wild type or 5xFAD familial AD-model background to maternal separation (MS) from postnatal day 2 to 14 to induce ELS. RESULTS We detected hippocampal neuroinflammatory alterations already at postnatal day 15. By 4 months of age, MS mice presented increased immobility time in the forced swim test and a lower discrimination index in the novel object recognition memory test compared to controls. We found altered Bdnf and Arc expression in the hippocampus and increased microglial activation in the prefrontal cortex due to MS in a sex-dependent manner. In 5xFAD mice specifically, MS exacerbated amyloid-beta deposition, particularly in females. In the periphery, the immune cell population was altered by MS exposure. CONCLUSION Overall, our results demonstrate that MS has both short- and long-term effects on brain regions related to memory and on the inflammatory system, both in the brain and periphery. These ELS-related effects that are detectable even in adulthood may exacerbate pathology and increase the risk of developing AD via sex-specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Bachiller
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden ,grid.411109.c0000 0000 9542 1158Present Address: Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, CSIC, University of Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - I. Hidalgo
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Division of Molecular Hematology, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - M. G. Garcia
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden ,grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Experimental Dementia Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - A. Boza-Serrano
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden ,grid.9224.d0000 0001 2168 1229Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - A. Paulus
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden ,grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Medical Microspectroscopy, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Q. Denis
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - C. Haikal
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Neural Plasticity and Repair Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - O. Manouchehrian
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - O. Klementieva
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Medical Microspectroscopy, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - J. Y. Li
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Neural Plasticity and Repair Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - C. J. Pronk
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Division of Molecular Hematology, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - G. K. Gouras
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Experimental Dementia Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - T. Deierborg
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Liu H, Lin Z, Umberson D. Parental Death and Cognitive Impairment: An Examination by Gender and Race-ethnicity. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 77:1164-1176. [PMID: 34230956 PMCID: PMC9159058 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbab125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We provide the first nationally representative longitudinal study of cognitive impairment in relation to parental death from childhood through early adulthood, midlife, and later adulthood, with attention to heterogeneity in the experience of parental death. METHOD We analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (2000-2016). The sample included 13,392 respondents, contributing 72,860 person-periods. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS). Discrete-time hazard regression models were estimated to predict the odds of cognitive impairment. RESULTS Both exposure and timing of parental death were related to risk of cognitive impairment in late life and associations vary by gender. The detrimental effect of a father's death was comparable for daughters and sons although exposure to mother's death had stronger effects on daughter's than son's risk of cognitive impairment. Father's death at younger ages had the strongest effect on sons' late-life risk of cognitive impairment whereas mother's death in middle adulthood had the strongest effect on daughters' risk. We found no significant racial-ethnic variation in the association between parental death and cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION It is important to explore the gender-specific pathways through which parental death leads to increased risk of cognitive impairment so that effective interventions can be implemented to reduce risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin
| | - Zhiyong Lin
- Center on Aging and Population Sciences and Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin
| | - Debra Umberson
- Department of Sociology, Center on Aging and Population Sciences and Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin
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6
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Gold AL, Meza E, Ackley SF, Mungas DM, Whitmer RA, Mayeda ER, Miles S, Eng CW, Gilsanz P, Glymour MM. Are adverse childhood experiences associated with late-life cognitive performance across racial/ethnic groups: results from the Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences study baseline. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e042125. [PMID: 33550246 PMCID: PMC7925876 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evidence on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and late-life cognitive outcomes is inconsistent, with little research among diverse racial/ethnic groups. We investigated whether ACE exposures were associated with worse late-life cognition for all racial/ethnic groups and at different ages of exposure. DESIGN Covariate-adjusted mixed-effects linear regression models estimated associations of: (1) total number of ACEs experienced, (2) earliest age when ACE occurred and (3) type of ACE with overall cognition. SETTING Kaiser Permanente Northern California members aged 65 years and older, living in Northern California. PARTICIPANTS Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences study baseline participants, aged 65 years and older (n=1661; including 403 Asian-American, 338 Latino, 427 Black and 493 white participants). RESULTS Most respondents (69%) reported one or more ACE, most frequently family illness (36%), domestic violence (23%) and parental divorce (22%). ACE count was not adversely associated with cognition overall (β=0.01; 95% CI -0.01 to 0.03), in any racial/ethnic group or for any age category of exposure. Pooling across all race/ethnicities, parent's remarriage (β=-0.11; 95% CI -0.20 to -0.03), mother's death (β=-0.18; 95% CI -0.30 to -0.07) and father's death (β=-0.11; 95% CI -0.20 to -0.01) were associated with worse cognition. CONCLUSION Adverse childhood exposures overall were not associated with worse cognition in older adults in a diverse sample, although three ACEs were associated with worse cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audra L Gold
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Erika Meza
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sarah F Ackley
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Dan M Mungas
- Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Rachel A Whitmer
- Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rose Mayeda
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sunita Miles
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Chloe W Eng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Paola Gilsanz
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
| | - M Maria Glymour
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Umberson D, Donnelly R, Xu M, Farina M, Garcia MA. Death of a Child Prior to Midlife, Dementia Risk, and Racial Disparities. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020; 75:1983-1995. [PMID: 31760426 PMCID: PMC7566971 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbz154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study considers whether experiencing the death of a child prior to midlife (by parental age 40) is associated with subsequent dementia risk, and how such losses, which are more common for black than for white parents, may add to racial disparities in dementia risk. METHODS We use discrete-time event history models to predict dementia incidence among 9,276 non-Hispanic white and 2,182 non-Hispanic black respondents from the Health and Retirement Study, 2000-2014. RESULTS Losing a child prior to midlife is associated with increased risk for later dementia, and adds to disparities in dementia risk associated with race. The death of a child is associated with a number of biosocial variables that contribute to subsequent dementia risk, helping to explain how the death of child may increase risk over time. DISCUSSION The death of a child prior to midlife is a traumatic life course stressor with consequences that appear to increase dementia risk for both black and white parents, and this increased risk is explained by biosocial processes likely activated by bereavement. However, black parents are further disadvantaged in that they are more likely than white parents to experience the death of a child, and such losses add to the already substantial racial disadvantage in dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra Umberson
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin
- Department of Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Rachel Donnelly
- Department of Sociology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Minle Xu
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin
- Department of Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Matthew Farina
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin
- Department of Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Michael A Garcia
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin
- Department of Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin
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Conde-Sala JL, Garre-Olmo J. Early parental death and psychosocial risk factors for dementia: A case-control study in Europe. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2020; 35:1051-1059. [PMID: 32392630 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the association between early parental death and the risk of dementia in adult life and to examine the risk factors associated with early parental death in people with and without dementia. METHODS/DESIGN A population-based case-control study of a sample of 65 997 participants from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe study. Early parental death was operationalized as parental death at the age of ≤16 years. Main analyses were conducted using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS The odds ratio (OR) for dementia in individuals who experienced early parental death (father or mother) at the age of ≤16 years was 1.83 (95%CI 1.61-2.09) and 1.54 (95%CI 1.35-1.76) adjusted for age, gender and education. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis carried out with the whole sample, early parental death increased the risk of dementia (OR = 1.50, 95%CI 1.31-1.72), along with older age (OR = 5.92, 95%CI 4.86-7.17), neuroticism (OR = 2.94, 95%CI 2.61-3.31), low education level (OR = 1.84, 95%CI 1.64-2.05) and low income (OR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.34-1.67). DISCUSSION Early parental death (≤16 years) was associated with an increased risk of dementia. We discuss the neurobiological markers associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and dementia as well as interventions to counteract the negative health effects on adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:-, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep L Conde-Sala
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Aging, Disability and Health Research Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IdIBGi), Catalonia, Spain
| | - Josep Garre-Olmo
- Aging, Disability and Health Research Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IdIBGi), Catalonia, Spain.,Department of Medical Sciences, University of Girona, Spain
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Abbink MR, Kotah JM, Hoeijmakers L, Mak A, Yvon-Durocher G, van der Gaag B, Lucassen PJ, Korosi A. Characterization of astrocytes throughout life in wildtype and APP/PS1 mice after early-life stress exposure. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:91. [PMID: 32197653 PMCID: PMC7083036 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01762-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Early-life stress (ES) is an emerging risk factor for later life development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We have previously shown that ES modulates amyloid-beta pathology and the microglial response to it in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model. Because astrocytes are key players in the pathogenesis of AD, we studied here if and how ES affects astrocytes in wildtype (WT) and APP/PS1 mice and how these relate to the previously reported amyloid pathology and microglial profile. Methods We induced ES by limiting nesting and bedding material from postnatal days (P) 2–9. We studied in WT mice (at P9, P30, and 6 months) and in APP/PS1 mice (at 4 and 10 months) (i) GFAP coverage, cell density, and complexity in hippocampus (HPC) and entorhinal cortex (EC); (ii) hippocampal gene expression of astrocyte markers; and (iii) the relationship between astrocyte, microglia, and amyloid markers. Results In WT mice, ES increased GFAP coverage in HPC subregions at P9 and decreased it at 10 months. APP/PS1 mice at 10 months exhibited both individual cell as well as clustered GFAP signals. APP/PS1 mice when compared to WT exhibited reduced total GFAP coverage in HPC, which is increased in the EC, while coverage of the clustered GFAP signal in the HPC was increased and accompanied by increased expression of several astrocytic genes. While measured astrocytic parameters in APP/PS1 mice appear not be further modulated by ES, analyzing these in the context of ES-induced alterations to amyloid pathology and microglial shows alterations at both 4 and 10 months of age. Conclusions Our data suggest that ES leads to alterations to the astrocytic response to amyloid-β pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maralinde R Abbink
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janssen M Kotah
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne Hoeijmakers
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aline Mak
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Genevieve Yvon-Durocher
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bram van der Gaag
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J Lucassen
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aniko Korosi
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Haapea M, Nordström T, Räsänen S, Miettunen J, Niemelä M. Parental death due to natural death causes during childhood abbreviates the time to a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder in the offspring: A follow-up study. DEATH STUDIES 2020; 46:168-177. [PMID: 32065081 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1725928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Parental death before adulthood has been shown to increase offspring's risk of poor health and adverse social consequences. In a sample of 422 subjects with parental death (334 (79.1%) due to natural causes), and 6172 matched controls, those with parental death were given a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder up to 28 years of age earlier than their controls (10-year survival proportions: 88.6% vs. 93.1%, p = 0.001). Our findings indicate that psychosocial support must be provided as early as when a parent falls ill, especially with those illnesses that are the most common causes of death in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Haapea
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tanja Nordström
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Infrastructure for Population Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Sami Räsänen
- Department of Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jouko Miettunen
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mika Niemelä
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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11
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Walsh E, Blake Y, Donati A, Stoop R, von Gunten A. Early Secure Attachment as a Protective Factor Against Later Cognitive Decline and Dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:161. [PMID: 31333443 PMCID: PMC6622219 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiology of neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia is complex and incompletely understood. Interest in a developmental perspective to these pathologies is gaining momentum. An early supportive social environment seems to have important implications for social, affective and cognitive abilities across the lifespan. Attachment theory may help to explain the link between these early experiences and later outcomes. This theory considers early interactions between an infant and its caregiver to be crucial to shaping social behavior and emotion regulation strategies throughout adult life. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that such early attachment experiences can, potentially through epigenetic mechanisms, have profound neurobiological and cognitive consequences. Here we discuss how early attachment might influence the development of affective, cognitive, and neurobiological resources that could protect against cognitive decline and dementia. We argue that social relations, both early and late in life, are vital to ensuring cognitive and neurobiological health. The concepts of brain and cognitive reserve are crucial to understanding how environmental factors may impact cognitive decline. We examine the role that attachment might play in fostering brain and cognitive reserve in old age. Finally, we put forward the concept of affective reserve, to more directly frame the socio-affective consequences of early attachment as protectors against cognitive decline. We thereby aim to highlight that, in the study of aging, cognitive decline and dementia, it is crucial to consider the role of affective and social factors such as attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Walsh
- Service of Old Age Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yvonne Blake
- Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessia Donati
- Service of Old Age Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ron Stoop
- Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Armin von Gunten
- Service of Old Age Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Cohen-Mansfield J. Who is informed and who uninformed? Addressing the legal barriers to progress in dementia research and care. Isr J Health Policy Res 2019; 8:17. [PMID: 30782212 PMCID: PMC6381665 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-018-0279-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Conduct of research is an essential tool for the evaluation and improvement of health services. In Israel, research on persons with dementia is very limited, with the largest portion of such research involving a few surveys and examining risk factors for dementia. Very few studies describe clinical research, and those that do either include participants at early stages of dementia, or rely completely on caregivers' perceptions and experiences, often without reference to any individual with dementia. This dearth of research is due, to a substantial extent, to Ministry of Health regulations which do not permit family proxy consent for research involving persons with dementia. Alternative models for regulation of consent for research exist in other countries, including the U.S., and these allow for proxy consent under certain conditions. This paper presents such a model and its underlying ethical principles. It contends that the current state of affairs, which stands in the way of clinical research concerning persons with advanced dementia, is contrary to the interests of such persons, their caregivers, and Israeli society. Therefore, this paper calls for a change in the present regulations and/or law in the cause of advancing knowledge and improving care for persons with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiska Cohen-Mansfield
- Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, P.O.B. 39040, Ramat Aviv Tel-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
- Minerva Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of End of Life, Tel Aviv University, P.O.B. 39040, Ramat Aviv Tel-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
- The Herczeg Institute on Aging, Tel-Aviv University, P.O.B. 39040, Ramat Aviv Tel-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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13
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to summarize current conceptual models of cognitive reserve (CR) and related concepts and to discuss evidence for these concepts within the context of aging and Alzheimer's disease. RECENT FINDINGS Evidence to date supports the notion that higher levels of CR, as measured by proxy variables reflective of lifetime experiences, are associated with better cognitive performance, and with a reduced risk of incident mild cognitive impairment/dementia. However, the impact of CR on longitudinal cognitive trajectories is unclear and may be influenced by a number of factors. Although there is promising evidence that some proxy measures of CR may influence structural brain measures, more research is needed. The protective effects of CR may provide an important mechanism for preserving cognitive function and cognitive well-being with age, in part because it can be enhanced throughout the lifespan. However, more research on the mechanisms by which CR is protective is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Pettigrew
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1620 McElderry St., Reed Hall 1-West, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Anja Soldan
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1620 McElderry St., Reed Hall 1-West, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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14
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Lemche E. Early Life Stress and Epigenetics in Late-onset Alzheimer's Dementia: A Systematic Review. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:522-602. [PMID: 30386171 PMCID: PMC6194433 DOI: 10.2174/1389202919666171229145156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Involvement of life stress in Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD) has been evinced in longitudinal cohort epidemiological studies, and endocrinologic evidence suggests involvements of catecholamine and corticosteroid systems in LOAD. Early Life Stress (ELS) rodent models have successfully demonstrated sequelae of maternal separation resulting in LOAD-analogous pathology, thereby supporting a role of insulin receptor signalling pertaining to GSK-3beta facilitated tau hyper-phosphorylation and amyloidogenic processing. Discussed are relevant ELS studies, and findings from three mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways (JNK/SAPK pathway, ERK pathway, p38/MAPK pathway) relevant for mediating environmental stresses. Further considered were the roles of autophagy impairment, neuroinflammation, and brain insulin resistance. For the meta-analytic evaluation, 224 candidate gene loci were extracted from reviews of animal studies of LOAD pathophysiological mechanisms, of which 60 had no positive results in human LOAD association studies. These loci were combined with 89 gene loci confirmed as LOAD risk genes in previous GWAS and WES. Of the 313 risk gene loci evaluated, there were 35 human reports on epigenomic modifications in terms of methylation or histone acetylation. 64 microRNA gene regulation mechanisms were published for the compiled loci. Genomic association studies support close relations of both noradrenergic and glucocorticoid systems with LOAD. For HPA involvement, a CRHR1 haplotype with MAPT was described, but further association of only HSD11B1 with LOAD found; however, association of FKBP1 and NC3R1 polymorphisms was documented in support of stress influence to LOAD. In the brain insulin system, IGF2R, INSR, INSRR, and plasticity regulator ARC, were associated with LOAD. Pertaining to compromised myelin stability in LOAD, relevant associations were found for BIN1, RELN, SORL1, SORCS1, CNP, MAG, and MOG. Regarding epigenetic modifications, both methylation variability and de-acetylation were reported for LOAD. The majority of up-to-date epigenomic findings include reported modifications in the well-known LOAD core pathology loci MAPT, BACE1, APP (with FOS, EGR1), PSEN1, PSEN2, and highlight a central role of BDNF. Pertaining to ELS, relevant loci are FKBP5, EGR1, GSK3B; critical roles of inflammation are indicated by CRP, TNFA, NFKB1 modifications; for cholesterol biosynthesis, DHCR24; for myelin stability BIN1, SORL1, CNP; pertaining to (epi)genetic mechanisms, hTERT, MBD2, DNMT1, MTHFR2. Findings on gene regulation were accumulated for BACE1, MAPK signalling, TLR4, BDNF, insulin signalling, with most reports for miR-132 and miR-27. Unclear in epigenomic studies remains the role of noradrenergic signalling, previously demonstrated by neuropathological findings of childhood nucleus caeruleus degeneration for LOAD tauopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin Lemche
- Section of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
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15
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Lesuis SL, Hoeijmakers L, Korosi A, de Rooij SR, Swaab DF, Kessels HW, Lucassen PJ, Krugers HJ. Vulnerability and resilience to Alzheimer's disease: early life conditions modulate neuropathology and determine cognitive reserve. Alzheimers Res Ther 2018; 10:95. [PMID: 30227888 PMCID: PMC6145191 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-018-0422-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a high prevalence among the elderly and a huge personal and societal impact. Recent epidemiological studies have indicated that the incidence and age of onset of sporadic AD can be modified by lifestyle factors such as education, exercise, and (early) stress exposure. Early life adversity is known to promote cognitive decline at a later age and to accelerate aging, which are both primary risk factors for AD. In rodent models, exposure to 'negative' or 'positive' early life experiences was recently found to modulate various measures of AD neuropathology, such as amyloid-beta levels and cognition at later ages. Although there is emerging interest in understanding whether experiences during early postnatal life also modulate AD risk in humans, the mechanisms and possible substrates underlying these long-lasting effects remain elusive. METHODS We review literature and discuss the role of early life experiences in determining later age and AD-related processes from a brain and cognitive 'reserve' perspective. We focus on rodent studies and the identification of possible early determinants of later AD vulnerability or resilience in relation to early life adversity/enrichment. RESULTS Potential substrates and mediators of early life experiences that may influence the development of AD pathology and cognitive decline are: programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, priming of the neuroinflammatory response, dendritic and synaptic complexity and function, overall brain plasticity, and proteins such as early growth response protein 1 (EGR1), activity regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), and repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST). CONCLUSIONS We conclude from these rodent studies that the early postnatal period is an important and sensitive phase that influences the vulnerability to develop AD pathology. Yet translational studies are required to investigate whether early life experiences also modify AD development in human studies, and whether similar molecular mediators can be identified in the sensitivity to develop AD in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie L. Lesuis
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne Hoeijmakers
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aniko Korosi
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne R. de Rooij
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Bio informatics, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dick F. Swaab
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, KNAW, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helmut W. Kessels
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, KNAW, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Cellular and Computational Neuroscience, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J. Lucassen
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harm J. Krugers
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Hoeijmakers L, Lesuis SL, Krugers H, Lucassen PJ, Korosi A. A preclinical perspective on the enhanced vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease after early-life stress. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 8:172-185. [PMID: 29888312 PMCID: PMC5991337 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress experienced early in life (ES), in the form of childhood maltreatment, maternal neglect or trauma, enhances the risk for cognitive decline in later life. Several epidemiological studies have now shown that environmental and adult life style factors influence AD incidence or age-of-onset and early-life environmental conditions have attracted attention in this respect. There is now emerging interest in understanding whether ES impacts the risk to develop age-related neurodegenerative disorders, and their severity, such as in Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is characterized by cognitive decline and extensive (hippocampal) neuropathology. While this might be relevant for the identification of individuals at risk and preventive strategies, this topic and its possible underlying mechanisms have been poorly studied to date. In this review, we discuss the role of ES in modulating AD risk and progression, primarily from a preclinical perspective. We focus on the possible involvement of stress-related, neuro-inflammatory and metabolic factors in mediating ES-induced effects on later neuropathology and the associated impairments in neuroplasticity. The available studies suggest that the age of onset and progression of AD-related neuropathology and cognitive decline can be affected by ES, and may aggravate the progression of AD neuropathology. These relevant changes in AD pathology after ES exposure in animal models call for future clinical studies to elucidate whether stress exposure during the early-life period in humans modulates later vulnerability for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aniko Korosi
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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17
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Hoeijmakers L, Ruigrok SR, Amelianchik A, Ivan D, van Dam AM, Lucassen PJ, Korosi A. Early-life stress lastingly alters the neuroinflammatory response to amyloid pathology in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:160-175. [PMID: 28027926 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to stress during the sensitive period of early-life increases the risk to develop cognitive impairments and psychopathology later in life. In addition, early-life stress (ES) exposure, next to genetic causes, has been proposed to modulate the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), however evidence for this hypothesis is currently lacking. We here tested whether ES modulates progression of AD-related neuropathology and assessed the possible contribution of neuroinflammatory factors in this. We subjected wild-type (WT) and transgenic APP/PS1 mice, as a model for amyloid neuropathology, to chronic ES from postnatal day (P)2 to P9. We next studied how ES exposure affected; 1) amyloid β (Aβ) pathology at an early (4month old) and at a more advanced pathological (10month old) stage, 2) neuroinflammatory mediators immediately after ES exposure as well as in adult WT mice, and 3) the neuroinflammatory response in relation to Aβ neuropathology. ES exposure resulted in a reduction of cell-associated amyloid in 4month old APP/PS1 mice, but in an exacerbation of Aβ plaque load at 10months of age, demonstrating that ES affects Aβ load in the hippocampus in an age-dependent manner. Interestingly, ES modulated various neuroinflammatory mediators in the hippocampus of WT mice as well as in response to Aβ neuropathology. In WT mice, immediately following ES exposure (P9), Iba1-immunopositive microglia exhibited reduced complexity and hippocampal interleukin (IL)-1β expression was increased. In contrast, microglial Iba1 and CD68 were increased and hippocampal IL-6 expression was decreased at 4months, while these changes resolved by 10months of age. Finally, Aβ neuropathology triggered a neuroinflammatory response in APP/PS1 mice that was altered after ES exposure. APP/PS1 mice exhibited increased CD68 expression at 4months, which was further enhanced by ES, whereas the microglial response to Aβ neuropathology, as measured by Iba1 and CD11b, was less prominent after ES at 10months of age. Finally, the hippocampus appears to be more vulnerable for these ES-induced effects, since ES did not affect Aβ neuropathology and neuroinflammation in the entorhinal cortex of adult ES exposed mice. Overall, our results demonstrate that ES exposure has both immediate and lasting effects on the neuroinflammatory response. In the context of AD, such alterations in neuroinflammation might contribute to aggravated neuropathology in ES exposed mice, hence altering disease progression. This indicates that, at least in a genetic context, ES could aggravate AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianne Hoeijmakers
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Silvie R Ruigrok
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Amelianchik
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela Ivan
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne-Marie van Dam
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J Lucassen
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aniko Korosi
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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18
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Norton MC, Fauth E, Clark CJ, Hatch D, Greene D, Pfister R, Tschanz JT, Smith KR. Family member deaths across adulthood predict Alzheimer's disease risk: The Cache County Study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2016; 31:256-63. [PMID: 26133120 PMCID: PMC4950508 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Parental death during childhood, and offspring and spouse death during adulthood have individually been associated with faster cognitive decline and higher Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk in late life. However, the cumulative effect of childhood and adulthood family deaths on AD risk among different age cohorts has not been studied. METHODS To examine these associations, this prospective cohort study uses a population-based sample of 4545 initially non-demented participants (56.7% female; age M = 75.0/SD = 6.9 years) observed at four triennial waves, linked with objective Utah Population Database data on cumulative mother, father, sibling, spouse, and offspring death experienced during childhood and adulthood. Cox regression modeled survival time from baseline interview to AD onset, as a function of family deaths during childhood or adulthood, among different age groups, along with gender and presence of ε4 allele at apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphic genetic locus. RESULTS Age group significantly moderated the relationship between family death and AD; among persons aged 65-69 years at baseline (children of the Great Depression), those exposed to 3-4 deaths and 5+ deaths during adulthood exhibited a doubling of AD risk (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR = 2.25, p = .038, and aHR = 2.72, p = .029), while among persons aged 80 years and older, those exposed to 3-4 deaths during adulthood exhibited lower AD risk (HR = 0.539, p = 0.014). In a combined model of childhood and adulthood deaths, these findings persisted. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest a cohort effect in the link between family member deaths during adulthood and AD risk later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C. Norton
- Department of Family Consumer and Human Development, Utah State University,Department of Psychology, Utah State University,Center for Epidemiologic Studies, Utah State University
| | - Elizabeth Fauth
- Department of Family Consumer and Human Development, Utah State University
| | - Christine J. Clark
- Department of Family Consumer and Human Development, Utah State University
| | - Dan Hatch
- Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University
| | - Daylee Greene
- Department of Family Consumer and Human Development, Utah State University
| | | | - JoAnn T. Tschanz
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University,Center for Epidemiologic Studies, Utah State University
| | - Ken R. Smith
- Department of Family and Consumer Studies and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah
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Seifan A, Schelke M, Obeng-Aduasare Y, Isaacson R. Early Life Epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease--A Critical Review. Neuroepidemiology 2015; 45:237-54. [PMID: 26501691 DOI: 10.1159/000439568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As adult brain structure is primarily established in early life, genetic and environmental exposures in infancy and childhood influence the risk for Alzheimer disease (AD). In this systematic review, we identified several early life risk factors and discussed the evidence and underlying mechanism for each. SUMMARY Early risk factors for AD may alter brain anatomy, causing vulnerability to AD-related dementia later in life. In the perinatal period, both genes and learning disabilities have been associated with the development of distinct AD phenotypes. During early childhood, education and intellect, as well as body growth, may predispose to AD through alterations in cognitive and brain reserve, though the specific mediators of neural injury are disputed. Childhood socioeconomic status (SES) may predispose to AD by influencing adult SES and cognition. Association of these risk factors with underlying AD pathology (rather than just clinical diagnosis) has not been sufficiently examined. KEY MESSAGES Factors that impede or alter brain growth during early life could render certain brain regions or networks selectively vulnerable to the onset, accumulation or spread of AD-related pathology during later life. Careful life-course epidemiology could provide clues as to why the brain systematically degenerates during AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alon Seifan
- Alzheimer Prevention Clinic and Memory Disorders Program, Department of Neurology Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, N.Y., USA
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20
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Pilleron S, Guerchet M, Ndamba-Bandzouzi B, Mbelesso P, Dartigues JF, Preux PM, Clément JP. Association between Stressful Life Events and Cognitive Disorders in Central Africa: Results from the EPIDEMCA Program. Neuroepidemiology 2015; 44:99-107. [PMID: 25765301 DOI: 10.1159/000375462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stressful life events (SLEs) are considered potential risk factors for cognitive disorders. Our objective was to investigate the association between SLEs and cognitive disorders among the elderly people in Central Africa. METHOD A population-based study was conducted in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Republic of Congo (ROC). Participants aged ≥65 were interviewed using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia. Those who performed poorly were clinically assessed by neurologists. DSM-IV and Petersen criteria were required for a diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), respectively. SLEs were assessed through 18 questions about events that occurred during childhood, adulthood and late-life. Sociodemographic, vascular and psychological factors were also documented. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations. RESULTS MCI was positively associated with: the total number of SLEs (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.2), the number of SLEs from the age of 65 (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0-1.3), the number of SLEs before the age of 16 among non-depressive participants (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.2) and with a serious illness in a child experienced when the participant was aged 65 or more (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6-4.6). No association with dementia was observed. CONCLUSION SLEs were positively associated with MCI but not dementia. More comprehensive studies are needed to further investigate this relationship.
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21
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Whalley LJ, Staff RT, Murray AD, Deary IJ, Starr JM. Genetic and environmental factors in late onset dementia: possible role for early parental death. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2013; 28:75-81. [PMID: 22821632 DOI: 10.1002/gps.3792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate three reports of a possible role of early parental death in late onset dementia. We tested a multivariate model of risk factors for late onset dementia that included established (female sex, a family history of dementia, APOE ε4) and putative influences (vascular risk factors, years of full-time education, parental ages at death, and childhood IQ) on dementia risk. METHODS We examined contributions of early life and late life risk factors for dementia by using childhood social and family data and blood samples obtained at interview at age about 78 years. In 1997-1999, we recruited 281 subjects without dementia from a 1932 Scottish IQ survey of children born in 1921 and followed them up to 2010 (at age 88). Binary logistic regression and Bayesian structural equation modelling were used to model dementia risk. RESULTS Risk of dementia was associated with increasing age from 77 to 88 years, female sex, death of either parent before age 11 and APOE ε4 genotype. Family history of dementia, childhood IQ, years of education and vascular risk factors did not contribute to the model. CONCLUSIONS Our multivariate models of the possible causes of late onset dementia confirm previous associations of dementia with female sex and APOE ε4 genotype and supports earlier reports of a role for early parental death.
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