@article{ref1,
title="Childhood maltreatment and dementia risk factors in midlife: a prospective investigation",
journal="Current Alzheimer research",
year="2023",
author="Widom, Cathy Spatz and Do, Hang Heather and Lynch, Kristin S. and Manly, Jennifer J.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Previous studies have linked childhood adversities to dementia risk, yet most studies are cross-sectional in design and utilize retrospective self-reports to assess childhood experiences. These design characteristics make it difficult to establish temporal order and draw firm conclusions. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: Using a longitudinal design, we sought to determine whether childhood maltreatment predicts dementia risk factors in middle adulthood. <br><br>METHODS: Data have been obtained from a prospective cohort design study of children with documented cases of childhood maltreatment (ages 0-11 years at case identification) and demographically matched controls who were followed up and interviewed in middle adulthood. Outcomes were assessed through a medical examination and interview, and 807 of the cases that included blood collection at mean age 41 and dementia risk were investigated using 11 potentially modifiable risk factors. <br><br>RESULTS: Compared to controls, individuals with histories of childhood maltreatment had a higher risk of low educational attainment, low social contact, smoking, and clinical depression, and a higher total number of dementia risk factors. In general, childhood maltreatment predicted a higher risk of dementia for females, males, and Black and White participants. Black maltreated participants had a greater risk for traumatic brain injury compared to Black controls. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, each predicted a higher number of dementia risk factors in mid-life. <br><br>CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence that childhood maltreatment increases the risk for dementia in mid-life and has a demonstrable impact lasting over 30 years. Reducing the prevalence of mid-life dementia risk factors could reduce the risk of later-life dementia.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1567-2050",
doi="10.2174/0115672050281539231222071355",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0115672050281539231222071355"
}