LAUSR

Key Points Question Are adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) associated with dementia symptoms and poor neuropsychiatric health in former professional football players? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 1755 former professional US football players, 10 ACEs, primarily indicators of family dysfunction, were associated with a positive dementia screening result. Players with at least 4 ACEs were 48% more likely to have a positive finding on a dementia screen and were at greater risk of poor cognition-related quality of life, pain, and depression compared with players with no ACEs. Meaning These findings suggest that childhood family dysfunction may be a risk factor for dementia symptoms and poor neuropsychiatric health in adulthood in former professional football players.