Healio (9/4, Gramigna) reported, “Certain types of childhood maltreatment were linked to suicide behaviors among children and young adults,” investigators concluded in a systematic review and meta-analysis that “included 79 studies with 337,185 youths, with a mean age of 15.67 years.” Researchers found “significant associations between higher suicide attempt rates and sexual abuse…physical abuse,” emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, and “combined abuse.” What’s more, “these forms of childhood maltreatment were linked to as much as a 2.5 times higher risk for suicide ideation, and sexual abuse specifically with a four times higher risk for suicide plans,” the review revealed. The findings were published online in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Childhood maltreatment linked to increased suicide behaviors among children, young adults “Joe Gramigna, Healio, September 4, 2020

The Washington Post (9/3, Brulliard, Wan) reports that “physicians and researchers are seeing signs” that the coronavirus pandemic “is doing deep damage to people’s sleep.” Dubbed “coronasomnia” by some experts, it “could prove to have profound public-health ramifications – creating a massive new population of chronic insomniacs grappling with declines in productivity, shorter fuses and increased risks of hypertension, depression and other health problems.”

Related Links:

— “The pandemic is ruining our sleep. Experts say ‘coronasomnia’ could imperil public health. ”
Karin Brulliard and William Wan, The Washington Post, September 3, 2020

HealthDay (9/3, Norton) reports that anticholinergic medications may “speed up older adults’ mental decline – especially if they are at increased risk of dementia,” investigators concluded. The study also revealed that “healthy older adults on these medications had an increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment.” The findings of the 688-older adult study were published online Sept. 2 in the journal Neurology.

Related Links:

— “Common Meds Tied to Faster Mental Decline in Seniors “Amy Norton, HeathDay, September 3, 2020

HealthDay (9/3, Preidt) reports, “Young adults with kidney problems may be at increased risk for mental decline in middle age,” investigators concluded in a study that “included more than 2,600 people with an average age of 35.” Participants underwent “blood and urine tests to assess kidney function every five years for 20 years, and the tests were used to estimate their risk of kidney failure at each visit.” When the study period ended, “participants were given thinking and memory tests.” The findings were published online Sept. 2 in the journal Neurology.

Related Links:

— “Kidneys Might Affect Mental Status As You Age “Robert Preidt, HealthDay, September 3, 2020

The New York Times (9/3, Bakalar) reports obesity “may be linked to an increased risk for dementia,” investigators concluded in a study that analyzed “data on 6,582 men and women, age 50 and older, who were cognitively healthy at the” beginning of the study and who were tracked “for an average of 11 years.” The findings were published online June 23 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

Related Links:

— “Excess Weight May Increase Your Risk of Dementia “Nicholas Bakalar, The New York Times, September 3, 2020