Jessica F Holland1, Golam M Khandaker2,3, Maria R Dauvermann1, Derek Morris1, Stanley Zammit4,5,6, Gary Donohoe7. 1. Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, The Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. 2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Herschel Smith Building for Brain & Mind Sciences, Cambridge, UK. 3. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK. 4. Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. 5. Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. 6. National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. 7. Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, The Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. gary.donohoe@nuigalway.ie.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early life adversity (ELA) is a significant risk factor for mental health disorders. One hypothesised mechanism by which this occurs is via an effect on immune response. In this analysis of epidemiological data, we tested whether ELA was associated with cognitive performance, and if so, whether these effects were influenced by immune function. METHODS: We investigated the longitudinal relationship between ELA, inflammatory markers, and cognition in data from Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children (ALSPAC; n ~ 5000). ELA was defined in terms of physical/emotional abuse, harsh parenting, or domestic violence before 5 years. Social cognition was measured in terms of theory of mind, and general cognitive ability was measured using IQ. Inflammatory markers included serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels. RESULTS: A significant association was observed between IQ and harsh parenting, whereby children who were physically disciplined had lower IQ scores (accounting for relevant social factors). Both immune markers were associated with variation in cognition, however, neither accounted for the effects of ELA on cognition. DISCUSSION: This study highlights the impact of ELA on cognition. In the absence of evidence that these effects are explained by inflammation, other mechanisms by which the effects of ELA are mediated are discussed.
BACKGROUND: Early life adversity (ELA) is a significant risk factor for mental health disorders. One hypothesised mechanism by which this occurs is via an effect on immune response. In this analysis of epidemiological data, we tested whether ELA was associated with cognitive performance, and if so, whether these effects were influenced by immune function. METHODS: We investigated the longitudinal relationship between ELA, inflammatory markers, and cognition in data from Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children (ALSPAC; n ~ 5000). ELA was defined in terms of physical/emotional abuse, harsh parenting, or domestic violence before 5 years. Social cognition was measured in terms of theory of mind, and general cognitive ability was measured using IQ. Inflammatory markers included serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels. RESULTS: A significant association was observed between IQ and harsh parenting, whereby children who were physically disciplined had lower IQ scores (accounting for relevant social factors). Both immune markers were associated with variation in cognition, however, neither accounted for the effects of ELA on cognition. DISCUSSION: This study highlights the impact of ELA on cognition. In the absence of evidence that these effects are explained by inflammation, other mechanisms by which the effects of ELA are mediated are discussed.
Authors: Eleftheria G Charalambous; Sophie B Mériaux; Pauline Guebels; Claude P Muller; Fleur A D Leenen; Martha M C Elwenspoek; Ines Thiele; Johannes Hertel; Jonathan D Turner Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2021-11-24 Impact factor: 5.923