Adverse Childhood Experiences and Cognitive Change in Late-Life Depression

Objectives: To determine the relationship of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with change in cognitive performance over a 1-year period among older adults in treatment for depression.Methods: Older depressed adults completed the ACEs questionnaire and the Consortium to Establish a Registry of Alzheimer's disease (CERAD) cognitive battery at baseline and were re-assessed with the CERAD 1 year later.Results: Childhood physical abuse, sexual abuse, and verbal/emotional abuse, respectively, were reported by 25%, 17.5%, and 42% of participants.Total ACEs score was not associated with baseline cognitive performance or 1-year change.However, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and a measure of cumulative verbal/emotional, physical, and sexual abuse were inversely associated with 1-year change in total CERAD score.Conclusions: Childhood abuse may have long-term adverse effects, including placing depressed older adults at risk for progressive cognitive decline.ACEs should be considered in research and clinical management of depression in older adults.