Association of Stress-Related Disorders With Subsequent Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

The objective of this thesis was to investigate the relationship of personality and stress with subsequent risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). In Study I, we conducted a population-based cohort study using questionnaire data from the Swedish Twin Registry to explore whether the personality traits, neuroticism and introversion, were associated with later PD risk. We also explored the role of smoking as a mediator in the relationship between personality and PD. Both neuroticism and introversion were associated with an increased PD risk. Further, smoking was a significant mediator in the relationship between personality traits and PD that partly accounted for the effect of introversion, whereas it acted as a suppressor for the effect of neuroticism on PD risk. In Study II, we wanted to further explore the main findings from study I, with the aim to examine whether the observed associations between neuroticism, smoking and PD may be causal. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization study in a network framework, consisting of three main analyses: (I) causal effect of neuroticism on PD, (II) causal effect of neuroticism on smoking initiation, (III) causal effect of smoking initiation on PD. We found no support for a causal association between neuroticism and PD risk. On the other hand, the results indicated that the association between neuroticism and smoking initiation is causal and that there is a strong causal effect of smoking initiation on a reduced PD risk.

Behavioral and Psychological Effects of Coronavirus Disease-19 Quarantine in Patients With Dementia

“…Neuroimaging studies showed that the neuro-anatomical correlates of PTSD are decreased volume of the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex which are target regions of neuropathology in AD, DLB, and FTD ( 27 ). On the other hand, there are emerging evidence of a higher risk to develop cognitive decline in patients with PTSD ( 15 ).We could here hypothesize that patients with mild to moderate level of dementia are at higher risk respect to healthy subjects to manifest a variety of anxiety-related symptoms triggered in response to isolations and restrains imposed by quarantine and that this condition may render these patients more vulnerable to the development of a PTSD-like symptomatology. This in turn might potentially worsen the trajectory of cognitive decline.…”

“…In turn, lack of activities and global cognitive and physical stimulation may cause delirium in individuals with dementia, contributing further to morbidity. There is also increase evidence that psychological symptoms due to stressor events can contribute to cognitive decline (15).…”

Effects of COVID-19 Infection Control Measures on Appointment Cancelation in an Italian Outpatient Memory Clinic

“…It is also possible that there may be an increased need for assessment of new patients in geriatric psychiatry settings as a result of the negative consequence of quarantine and social distancing measures. In fact, psychological symptoms due to stressor events can contribute to cognitive decline (20) and social isolation, reduced social network, and loneliness can lead to generalized anxiety and major depression disorders in older individuals (21)(22)(23). Further, during lockdown it is likely that many older persons reduced their physical activity levels (5), which may impair symptoms; for example, cardiorespiratory fitness is also associated with cognitive functioning in older persons (24).…”

Longitudinal Associations of Mental Disorders With Physical Diseases and Mortality Among 2.3 Million New Zealand Citizens

“…Data suggest that the same people who experience psychiatric conditions when they are young experience age-associated physical diseases when they are older. 3 , 4 Excess risk of physical disease and mortality among individuals with mental disorders has been detected in data from community surveys and outpatient and inpatient hospital records 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 and in data across different countries 4 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 and socioeconomic strata. 17 , 18 These findings suggest that preventing mental disorders in youth might be associated with the prevention of physical diseases and disabilities in older adulthood.…”