Damaging life events that could be ageing your brain

A STRESSFUL experience such as losing a loved one, getting divorced or being fired can age the brain by up to four years, scientists say.

They have identified 27 life events that are so damaging to the brain that even one can age it prematurely, potentially leading to diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The damage can begin in childhood when problems such as having to repeat a year at school or being expelled were found to be significant stressful events.

Children whose parents struggled to find work or who had drug or alcohol problems also experienced damaging stress.

From the teenage years into adulthood, experiencing parental divorce, the death of a parent, sibling or child, infidelity by a spouse and serious conflict with the in-laws were all considered highly stressful.

Money problems, including bankruptcy or being fired, and losing a home to fire or flood were also damaging.

Scientists believe severe stress causes inflammation of the brain, which could make it more vulnerable to problems such as dementia. Stressful events could also lead to de- pression, which puts people at higher risk of dementia.

Dr Maria Carrillo, of the US Alzheimer’s Association, said in addition to the 27 events, experiences such as changing schools as a child or a fraught house purchase could be traumatic enough to cause damage. “The stressful events were throughout the lifespan – a variety of different things that you can imagine would be impactful and stressful,” she said.

“Dementia and brain health should be thought of as lifecourse issues, not just mid-life or late-life (problems). We have to start thinking about brain health from birth, if not before.”