Stress-related cell damage linked to negative mental and physical health effects among caregivers

It’s no secret that the caregivers of spouses with memory impairment face enormous amounts of stress. Researchers at Rice University have found that this intense pressure can be felt at the cellular level and is linked to negative physical and mental health effects, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The study titled “Mitochondrial health, physical functioning, and daily affect: Bioenergetic mechanisms of dementia caregiver well-being,” is published online in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. It is one of the first studies to examine how cellular health may impact the well-being of spousal dementia caregivers who are experiencing significant daily stress.