Childhood abuse, adversity may shorten lifespan

Washington, Aug 15 (ANI): A new study has found that the emotional pains we suffer in childhood can lead to weakened immune systems later in life.

"What happens in childhood really matters when it comes to your immune response in the latter part of your life," said Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Ohio State University.

The study showed that for some children who experienced serious abuse or adverse experiences as kids, the long-term effect might be a lifespan shortened by seven to 15 years.

Along with research partner Ronald Glaser, director of the Institute of Behavioral Medicine Research, she looked at 132 healthy older adults who averaged 70 years old.

Forty-four percent of them served as primary caregivers for family members suffering from dementia, while 56 percent were non-caregivers.

The researchers took blood samples from each person measuring the levels of two cytokines known to be stress markers - interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

They also used a series of surveys to determine the participants' level of depression, health status, health behaviors and whether they had experienced childhood abuse or neglect.

The surveys also looked for adverse events as kids such as the loss of a parent, serious marital problems between parents, or mental illness or alcoholism within their family.

Lastly, from the blood samples they were able to measure the lengths of telomeres, bits of DNA on the ends of chromosomes.

"Every time a cell divides, it loses a little bit of its DNA at the ends. So the faster that process takes place, the more DNA is lost, and that's significant," said Glaser.

Shortened telomeres have been associated with aging, age-related diseases and death among the elderly.

The findings were explained at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Diego. (ANI)