Distressing dreams in childhood and risk of cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease in adulthood: a national birth cohort study

BACKGROUND: Distressing dreams in middle-aged and older adults have been associated with an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment (including dementia) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Whether distressing dreams in younger people might be associated with an increased risk of developing these conditions is unknown. This study investigated the association between distressing dreams in childhood and the risk of developing cognitive impairment or PD by age 50.

METHODS: Data from the 1958 British Birth Cohort Study - a prospective birth cohort which included all people born in Britain during a single week in 1958, were used in this longitudinal analysis. Information on distressing dreams were obtained prospectively from the children's mothers at ages 7 (1965) and 11 (1969). Cognitive impairment and PD at age 50 (2008) were determined by cognitive assessment and doctor-diagnosis respectively. The association between distressing dreams at ages 7 and 11 (no time point, 1 time point, 2 time points) and cognitive impairment or PD at age 50, was evaluated using multivariable Firth logistic regression, with adjustment for potential confounders.

FINDINGS: Among 6991 children (50.6% female) with follow-up available at age 50, 267 (3.8%) developed cognitive impairment or PD. After adjustment for all covariates, having more regular distressing dreams during childhood was linearly and statistically significantly associated with higher risk of developing cognitive impairment or PD by age 50 (P for trend = 0.037). Compared with children who never had distressing dreams (no time point), children who had persistent distressing dreams (2 time points) had an 85% increased risk of developing cognitive impairment or PD by age 50 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.10, 3.11).

INTERPRETATION: Having persistent distressing dreams during childhood may be associated with an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment or PD in adulthood. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine whether treating distressing dreams during early life may lower the risk of dementia and PD.

FUNDING: The study received no external funding.