Adverse events in older adults and the risk of dementia and cognitive decline

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100592
• Publication Date: 2023-04-28T17:12:38Z
• Authors: Dinuli Nilaweera; Caroline Gurvich; Rosanne Freak-Poli; Robyn Woods; Alice Owen; Anne Murray; Suzanne G. Orchard; Carlene Britt; Zimu Wu; John McNeil; Joanne Ryan
• Keywords: Spouse; Cognitive Decline

Increasing evidence suggests that stress could be a risk factor for dementia but this might vary by gender. This study investigated whether adverse life events were associated with cognitive decline and in later-life, separately men women. Participants 12,789 community-dwelling Australians aged ≥ 70 years. Ten common later-life self-reported. Cognitive was defined as 1.5 SD from participants' baseline score tests of global cognition, psychomotor speed, episodic memory, executive functioning, which assessed regularly over maximum 10.3 Dementia diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. An increased observed participants who experienced the death spouse/partner (HR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.17 – 2.52) individuals major financial problems 1.53, 1.05 2.23). The latter also specifically 1.43, 1.10 1.86). In contrast, some women reduced (e.g. close family or friends lost their job/retired 0.62, 0.40–0.95)). Events including money may result prodromal symptoms, thus reverse causation needs considered. Adverse influence older adults, associations depending on nature event, across genders. These findings support need early interventions people have adversities, particularly loved one.