Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Murine Model of Controlled Cortical Impact for the Induction of Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 16, 2019
Traumatic life events and risk for dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Emilia Severs1, Tiffeny James1, Pilar Letrondo1
1Division of Psychiatry, UCL, 6th Floor Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, United Kingdom.
Objectives:
To systematically review the association between traumatic life events (TLE) and dementia risk.
Design:
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Data Sources:
APA, PsychINFO, Embase and MEDLINE from their inception to 29.05.21 and updated on 20.04.22.
Eligibility Criteria For Selecting Studies:
Original research articles published in peer reviewed journals examining the association between TLE and all cause dementia in individuals aged 60 and over. Two researchers independently assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We conducted a generic inverse variance random effects meta-analysis to provide an overall estimate of TLE impact on dementia risk.
Main Outcome Measures:
Risk, odds and hazards ratios relating to dementia risk.
Results:
Initially, 3,487 studies were retrieved in the search and seven studies were included in the meta-analysis with data being used from 276,570 participants. TLE were associated with increased dementia risk. Trauma in general had a pooled HR of 1.21, (95% CI 1.03, 1.43, P = 0.0001). War/ Holocaust trauma and childhood trauma were also associated with increased dementia risk (HR = 1.28 (95% CI 1.01-1.63, P = 0.02) and HR = 1.76 (95% CI 1.17-2.64, P = 0.007) respectively).
Conclusions:
We have found an association between TLE and dementia risk. Future research exploring the dimensions of TLE and individual level factors are needed to better understand the relationship between TLE and dementia.
Trial Registration:
PROSPERO CRD42021253090.
Related Concept Videos
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
Traumatic Memory
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Cognitive Development During Adulthood

