SummaryEarly-life stress (ELS), i.e. maltreatment, abuse, neglect or loss experienced during childhood, is a potent known risk factor for a large range of mental disorders and medical diseases across the lifespan. We here aim to elucidate whether exposure to ELS promotes accelerated brain ageing, thereby increasing the risk for developing dementia in later life. Using data from the Nationale Kohorte, we will solidify the epidemiological association between exposure to ELS on neuroimaging and cognitive markers of brain ageing, as well as dementia diagnoses, above and beyond the 14 risk factors proposed by the Lancet Commission. We further aim to assess potential specificity of the association between ELS exposure, brain ageing, and dementia risk by sex or ELS type. Results will be important to identify strategies for the early detection of cases with ELS-related risk and for the development of early targeted prevention or for precision intervention to mitigate mechanistic pathways leading to dementia.

Keywords Demenz Early-life-stress Gehirnalterung frühkindliche-Traumatisierung

InstitutionsCharité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Universitäsmedizin Berlin, Studienzentrum Berlin-Mitte (Charité), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin