Longitudinal association between psychosocial stress and retinal microvasculature in children and adolescents

Aart, Carola J. C. Van; Nawrot, Tim S.; Sioen, Isabelle; Boever, Patrick De; Zaqout, Mahmoud; Henauw, Stefaan De; Michels, Nathalie

doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.03.022

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Wei and colleagues report an association between cognitive performance and retinal arteriolar diameter in 11-year old children born preterm and at term (23). Van Aart et al showed an association between retinal vessel diameters and psychosocial stress in childhood but found no association with SDQ problem scores (43). Similarly, we also found no significant association between retinal vessel diameters and SDQ problem scores or cognitive performance.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 43%

Denser Retinal Microvascular Network Is Inversely Associated With Behavioral Outcomes and Sustained Attention in Children

et al. 2021

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Changes in geometry of the retinal microvascular network, including vessel width, vessel density, and tortuosity, have been associated with neurological disorders in adults. We investigated metrics of the retinal microvasculature in association with behavior and cognition in 8- to 12-year-old children. Digital fundus images of 190 children (48.2% girls, mean age 9.9 years) were used to calculate retinal vessel diameters, fractal dimension, lacunarity, and tortuosity. Parents filled out a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for behavioral screening. Cognitive performance testing included a computerized version of the Stroop test (selective attention), the Continuous Performance (sustained attention), the Digit-Symbol (visual scanning and information-processing speed) and the Pattern Comparison (visuospatial analytic ability) tests from the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System (NES3) battery. Retinal vessel geometry was significantly associated with the SDQ problem score, which increased with 1.1 points (95% CI: 0.3 to 1.9 points) per interquartile (IQR) increment in retinal fractal dimension, and decreased 1.4 points (95% CI: −2.4 to −0.4 points) or decreased 1.0 points (95% CI: −2.1 to 0.1 points) per IQR increment in retinal vascular lacunarity or tortuosity, respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed that results were driven by the hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problem scales of the SDQ. Correspondingly, mean reaction time on the Continuous Performance test increased by 11 ms (95% CI: 4.4 to 17.6 ms) with an IQR increase in fractal dimension. The results indicate that a denser retinal microvascular network, exemplified by a higher fractal dimension and lower lacunarity, are inversely associated with behavioral outcomes and sustained attention in children.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 43%

Denser Retinal Microvascular Network Is Inversely Associated With Behavioral Outcomes and Sustained Attention in Children

et al. 2021

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“…Feelings of happiness, sadness and negative life events were associated with the diameter of the retinal vessels. high levels of psychosocial stress in childhood adversely affect the diameter of the retinal vessels, potentially reflecting the microvessels of the heart and brain [43].…”

Section: The Discussion Of the Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Happy People in the World Live 25 Years Longer Than Unhappy People and are Less Likely to Suffer from Cardio Pathologies

Radkevich¹

2021

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Aims: Investigated risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in countries with high and low Happiness Index in 158 countries in 2004. Methods:Mann-Whitney U-test and Linear Multiple Regression Analysis (LMA) ; GBD 2004; FAO 1990 FAO -2005 databases. Results:In countries with a high Happiness Index -group 1 (62 ± 8 versus 23 ± 5), income was 4 times higher, quality of life, health care was 3 times higher, and life expectancy by 23 years (p ≤ 0.001). In the countries of group 1, the overall mortality and overall morbidity were 2 times lower (p ≤ 0.001). Cardiovascular diseases were 1.5 times higher (p ≤ 0.016), cerebrovascular events were 2 times higher in group 2 countries (p ≤ 0.001).In the 1st group of countries, the share of men (%) predictors of metabolic syndrome (MS) was on average 2 times higher than in the 2nd group of countries (p ≤ 0.009). The daily food consumption in the 1st group of countries was 2 times higher than in the 2nd group (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion:The index of happiness can be considered a subtle and sensitive tool for assessing not only social life, but also human health.

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“…There are few studies with which to compare these findings. Previous studies examining the effects of psychosocial adversity and chronic stress on the retina have examined effects on retinal fundus photographs and used microvascular end points (e.g., retinal vascular caliber) rather than OCT-assessed neuronal layer measures (61–64,66–68). Our findings are consistent with the only other study, to our knowledge, to investigate the effects of stress on RNFL, which found a weak association between increased stress reactivity and thinner RNFL in a laboratory-based task (69).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, some studies have found either a weak association or no association between psychosocial stress and retinal microvasculature (64,65). A small number of longitudinal studies involving assessment of psychological stress over a number of years have also revealed associations between altered retinal microvasculature and internalizing disorders (61), persistent depression in adults (66), and high stress in children (67). In addition, overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, which occurs in chronic stress, has been associated with altered retinal microvasculature (68).…”

Section: The Retina As a Model Of Brain Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood Social Isolation as a Predictor of Retinal Neuronal Thickness in Middle Age: A Lifecourse Birth Cohort Study

et al. 2023

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Objective: We investigated whether childhood social isolation was associated with retinal neural layer changes in adulthood, and whether this association was independent of other childhood or adulthood risk factors, including adult social isolation. Methods: Participants were members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, a longitudinal population-based birth cohort from Aotearoa New Zealand (n = 1037), born 1972 to 1973 and followed until age 45 years, with 94% of the living cohort still participating. Social isolation was recorded prospectively at ages 5, 7, 9, and 11 years, from teacher and parent report. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thicknesses were measured via optical coherence tomography at age 45 years. Results: Childhood social isolation was associated with thinner average RNFL (B = −0.739, p = .02), nasal RNFL (B = −1.118, p = .005), and inferior RNFL (B = −1.524, p = .007), although only nasal RNFL remained significant after adjustment. These associations were not fully explained by other psychosocial or physical health risk factors in childhood or adulthood, nor were they mediated by adult loneliness or social support. Conclusions: Childhood social isolation was an independent predictor of RNFL thickness in middle age. Highlighting prospective links between childhood psychosocial adversity and retinal neuronal measures will help to inform future research into the utility of retinal neuronal thickness as a biomarker for neurodegeneration.

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Longitudinal association between psychosocial stress and retinal microvasculature in children and adolescents

Cited by 12 publications

References 43 publications

Denser Retinal Microvascular Network Is Inversely Associated With Behavioral Outcomes and Sustained Attention in Children

Denser Retinal Microvascular Network Is Inversely Associated With Behavioral Outcomes and Sustained Attention in Children

Happy People in the World Live 25 Years Longer Than Unhappy People and are Less Likely to Suffer from Cardio Pathologies

Childhood Social Isolation as a Predictor of Retinal Neuronal Thickness in Middle Age: A Lifecourse Birth Cohort Study

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