Adverse childhood experiences, early menopause, cognition, and dementia in older adults in the United States
Abstract
Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may accelerate early menopause and influence neurodegenerative processes, contributing to sex-specific dementia risk. This study examined associations with cognitive decline and incident dementia in ACEs and early menopause. Methods: We studied 6093 women and 5784 men aged ≥50 years from the Health and Retirement Study, a US cohort spanning between 2010 and 2022. Incident dementia was based on self-report of physician-diagnosed dementia. Cognition was measured using a composite score of immediate and delayed recall, serial sevens subtraction, and counting backwards (range, 0-27). ACEs were assessed using seven items and classified into none, 1, 2, and ≥3 ACEs. Age at menopause was classified into
Fields of Study & Subjects
Child Abuse and Trauma
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Elder Abuse and Neglect
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Communications Health
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Volume
- 1
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 3–3
- Publication date
- 30 June 2026
- Language
- EN