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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Adverse childhood environment and late-life cognitive functioning.
Karen Ritchie1, Isabelle Jaussent, Robert Stewart
1Inserm, U888, Montpellier, France. karen.ritchie@inserm.fr
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
|March 30, 2011
Summary
Adverse childhood events impact late-life cognition, with specific events affecting memory differently. Some severe childhood abuse may paradoxically offer resilience against cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Psychology
Background:
- Childhood maltreatment is linked to nervous system alterations and cognitive deficits.
- The long-term impact of childhood adversity on cognitive function in older adults requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the persistence of the association between childhood maltreatment and cognitive functioning in individuals over 65 years.
- To differentiate the effects of various types of adverse childhood experiences on specific cognitive domains in late life.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1282 individuals aged 65+ underwent assessment of cognitive functioning and recall of childhood events.
- Statistical analyses controlled for proximal factors that could influence cognitive performance in later life.
Main Results:
- Over 90% of participants reported at least one adverse childhood event, with 14.7% experiencing severe events.
- Specific adversities like parental problems or parental loss were linked to poorer verbal retrieval, while foster care or peer mistreatment correlated with impaired visuospatial memory.
- Severe abuse showed a surprising association with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment in certain tests, suggesting a resilience effect; a positive childhood environment was protective for central executive function, but only in non-carriers of the ApoE ε4 allele.
Conclusions:
- Certain adverse childhood experiences have lasting negative effects on cognitive performance in older age.
- The impact of severe acute childhood events may differ, potentially conferring resilience.
- It is crucial to analyze adverse childhood events individually rather than as a global measure to understand their complex effects on cognition.
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