Stressful life experiences can ‘age brain by four years’, says study
Death of a child, getting divorced and losing a job are included on the list
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Stressful life experiences such as the death of a child, divorce, or losing a job could age the brain by at least four years, new research suggests.
Experts from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in America found 27 stressful events that could be links to poorer cognitive function in later life.
Experiencing just one major stressful event early in life can have an impact on later brain health, the study found.
Researchers examined data from 1,320 people who underwent a series of neurological tests examining several areas, including memory.
A total of 1,232 participants were white and 82 were African American. All had reported stressful experiences over their lifetime. The average age of participants was 58.
The study found that African Americans experienced over 60 per cent more stressful events than white people over their lifetimes.
The study has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal but it was presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London.
The study did not look at the risk of dementia, however stressful experiences are known to impact brain function, which can itself lead to dementia in later life. Other research has suggested plausible links between stress and chronic inflammation, which could accelerate the development of dementia.
Dr Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer's Association, said: "The stressful events that the researchers were focusing on were a large variety... the death of a parent, abuse, loss of a job, loss of a home... poverty, living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, divorce."
She added that for some children, even the act of moving school could be a stressful life event.
Dr Doug Brown, director of research and development at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "We know that prolonged stress can have an impact on our health, so it's no surprise that this study indicates stressful life events may also affect our memory and thinking abilities later in life.
"However, it remains to be established whether these stressful life events can lead to an increased risk of dementia.”
Dr Brown said that while studying the role of stress is complex, the findings show that “more should be done to support people from disadvantaged communities that are more likely to experience stressful life events”.
The 27 stressful life events identified by researchers are:
- Repeating a year of school
- Being sent away from home for doing something wrong
- Father or mother unemployed
- One or both parents abusing alcohol
- One or both parents abusing drugs
- Dropping out of school
- Getting expelled or suspended from school
- Failing at school or higher education
- Getting fired
- Being unemployed for a long period
- Losing a parent
- Parents getting divorced
- Spouse or partner having an affair
- Significant difficulties with in-laws
- Losing a sibling
- Losing a child
- Having a child experience a life-threating injury
- Losing your home to fire, flood or natural disaster
- Physically assaulted or attacked
- Sexual assault
- Serious legal difficulties
- Being sent to prison
- Declaring bankruptcy
- Suffering financial loss or loss of property
- Going on benefits
- Entering the armed forces
- Experiencing combat
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments