Study Finds Childhood and Middle Age Stress Linked to Increased Alzheimer’s Risk: New Research

Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. Scientists believe that this number could reach 150 million by 2050. A team of researchers from Spain, Sweden and Switzerland decided to study the relationship between stressful life events and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The results are published in the journal Annals of Neurology.

Scientists have discovered that not all stressful events have the same effect on a person. It has been noted that stress in childhood and middle age is more strongly associated with the risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers note that stressful situations are events that greatly disturb a person’s normal lifestyle, which requires a mental and emotional change.

2,743 people were invited to participate in the study. Scientists have studied the impact of stressful events on various pathologies, neuroinflammation and gray matter. Subjects were asked to perform a series of tests: clinical interviews to collect detailed health and lifestyle information, cognitive tests to assess cognitive function, blood tests for genetic analysis, and cerebrospinal fluid collection.

The surveys made a list of 18 events that may require a major change of mind. Participants were asked if they had experienced these events, at what age and how many times. The study found that stress occurring in childhood and middle age was more strongly associated with risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease. For example, stress at an earlier age increased the ratio of beta-amyloid, which is one of the hallmark pathologies of Alzheimer’s disease.

“We know that middle age is when the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease begins to accumulate. These years may be the most vulnerable period when psychological stress can have a long-term effect on brain health,” said study author Eleni Palpatzis from the Barcelona Global Health Institute.

It is emphasized that the study provides valuable information. However, it may not be accurate as participants’ recollection of stressful events may be biased.

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