Gene‐Environment Interactions in Late‐life Cognitive Functioning: The Impact of Polygenic Scores and Early Life Trauma in African American Older Adults

These longitudinal findings are among the first to elucidate a gene-by-environment interaction on cognitive functioning in older AAs, suggesting that early-life trauma (e.g., parental physical or substance abuse) significantly moderates and weakens the positive association between polygenic predisposition and late-life cognitive functioning. These results underscore the critical need for trauma prevention and trauma-informed care for racially/ethnically minoritized older AAs to promote late-life cognitive health and address cognitive disparities.