Cited by 119Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchStress Responses and CortisolHealth and Well-being Studies

Association of Stress with Risk of Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Franks, Katherine H., Bransby, Lisa, Saling, Michael M., Pase, Matthew P.·2021·Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have investigated the association between stress and risk of dementia, findings are inconsistent due to the variation in the measures used to assess stress. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between psychological stress (including neuroticism, stressful life events, and perceived stress) and the risk of incident dementia and mild cognitive impairment in adults. METHODS: PsycINFO, Embase, and MEDLINE were searched to October 2020 for eligible observational, prospective studies. Of the 1,607 studies screened, 26 (24 unique cohorts) were included in the qualitative analysis and 16 (15 unique cohorts) were included in the quantitative analysis. RESULTS: Across studies, higher perceived stress was significantly associated with an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (Cases/Total N = 207/860: hazard ratio [HR] = 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.38) and all-cause dementia (Cases/Total N = 203/1,882: HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.07-1.95). Exposure to two or more stressful life events (versus none) was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia (Cases/Total N = 3,354/11,597: HR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.14-2.60), while one or more stressful life events was not. Higher neuroticism was significantly associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease dementia (Cases/Total N = 497/4,771: HR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01-1.12), but not all-cause dementia. CONCLUSION: This review suggests that psychological stress in adulthood is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these associations.

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Crossref · 10.3233/jad-210094

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69 of 69 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Franks, K. H., Bransby, L., Saling, M. M., & Pase, M. P.
Affiliations
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Monash University (AU)
  • Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
Franks, Katherine H.
Venue
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Published
2021-08-17
Volume
82
Issue
4
Pages
1573-1590
ISSN
  • 1387-2877 (ISSN-L)
  • 1875-8908
OpenAlex
W3192522874
Cited by
119
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 12
FWCI
2.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Alzheimer s Disease (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Health and Well-being Studies
Keywords
psychological stress, dementia risk
MeSH terms
Dementia, Humans, Stress, Psychological, Cognitive Dysfunction

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