Relationship between the deterioration of cognitive functions in old age and adverse life events in childhood

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of adverse life events in childhood on the rate of progression of cognitive impairment in elderly people. The study included patients who were non-demented at baseline and whose data were recorded in the site database between 1993 and 1997. 114 patients were included in the final analysis. The time between the baseline examination and the final examination one was 5 to 9 years. The comparison between the rates of progression of cognitive deterioration obtained during the five years of observation reveals a significant worsening in people who experienced adverse events in childhood. Our study seems to confirm the link between stressors experienced in childhood and the rate of progression of cognitive impairment in old age.