Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a growing public health challenge worldwide. While their clinical manifestations typically emerge late in life, increasing evidence suggests that biological vulnerability may originate much earlier in life. Early childhood adversity, expressed through mechanisms of toxic stress and allostatic load, has been associated with chronic activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and persistent inflammation—molecular pathways that overlap with those implicated in neurodegeneration. This narrative review highlights recent advances linking early adversity with long-term brain health. It discusses stress-related biomarkers, such as hair cortisol, inflammatory cytokines, and epigenetic modifications, as potential early indicators of neurodegenerative risk. Remarkably, protective and benevolent childhood experiences may mitigate these biological trajectories, underscoring the role of resilience in shaping neurobiological outcomes. We argue that integrating pediatric cohorts, particularly in underrepresented regions such as Latin America, with longitudinal biomarker approaches and omics technologies offers a unique opportunity to identify early predictors and preventive strategies. Understanding neurodegeneration as a lifespan process opens new avenues for early intervention and public health policy.

Objective This study aimed to determine parents’ and school-aged children’s mental well-being after experiencing confinement and prolonged school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Using a cross-sectional design, an online survey was applied to parents of school-aged children inquiring about their mental well-being and COVID-19 pandemic changes in their home and working lives. To assess the presence of depression, anxiety and stress in parents, the participants responded to the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 scale. To assess psychosocial dysfunction and sleep disturbances in children, participants responded to the Pediatric Symptom Checklist and the Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Results A total of 209 parents answered the questionnaire, most of them were female (87.1%) with a mean age of 40 years. The prevalence of anxiety, stress and parental depression symptoms were 35.9%, 28.2% and 25.4%, respectively. Children’s mean age was 8.9 years, the prevalence of children’s psychosocial dysfunction was 12%, while their sleep disturbance symptoms were 59.8%. 10.5% of children were suffering both outcomes. We found a bidirectional relationship between parents’ and children’s mental health outcomes. Parental depression symptoms were associated with experiencing COVID-19 infection within the household, having children with pre-existing medical diagnoses, children’s psychosocial dysfunction and sleep disturbances. Children’s psychosocial dysfunction was associated with parental depression and changes in their school routine. Children’s sleep disturbances were associated with parental anxiety, younger age, increased use of electronic devices, night-time awakenings and shorter sleep time. Conclusion Our results support the impact of long confinement and school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexican children and parents’ mental well-being. We advocate for specific mental health interventions tailored to respond to parents and children at risk of mental well-being distress.

COVID-19 pandemic confinement caused changes in families and children’s routines worldwide. Studies conducted at the beginning of the pandemic have examined the harmful effects of these changes on mental health, including sleep disturbances. As sleep is essential for optimal childhood development, this study was designed to determine preschool-aged (3–6 years old) children’s sleep parameters and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. Using a cross-sectional design, a survey was applied to parents of preschool children, inquiring about their children’s confinement status, routine changes, and electronics use. The parents responded to the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to assess children’s sleep and mental well-being. To provide objective sleep data, the children wore wrist actigraphy for seven days. Fifty-one participants completed the assessment. The children’s mean age was 5.2 years, and the prevalence of sleep disturbances was 68.6%. The use of electronic tablets in the bedroom near bedtime and symptoms of mental health deterioration (i.e., emotional distress and behavioral difficulties) were associated with sleep disturbances and their severity. The COVID-19 pandemic’s confinement-related routine changes greatly impacted preschool children’s sleep and well-being. We recommend establishing age-tailored interventions to manage children at higher risk.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to negative physical and mental health outcomes. Limited information on their influence exists in Latin America and middle-income countries like Mexico. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and impact of ACEs and benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) on Mexican population health. From September to November 2023, this cross-sectional study recruited a nationally representative sample of adults aged 18–65, randomly selected from urban and rural areas. Sociodemographic data, ACEs, BCEs, physical and mental health history, and clinical assessments for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders were collected. Of 1448 participants recruited, 1115 (77%) were women, 1278 (88·2%) reported at least one ACE, while 328 (22·6%) had four or more. Physical (840; 58·6%) and emotional neglect (518; 35·7%) were the most frequent. Four or more ACEs increased the odds of obesity (OR 1·8, 95% CI 1·2–2·8), hypertension (OR 1·6, 95% CI 1·1–2·2), depression (OR 4·7, 95% CI 3·6–6·1) and anxiety (OR 4·1, 95% CI 3·2–5·3) among others. Common BCEs included having at least one supportive caregiver (1298; 89·6%) and feeling comfortable with oneself (1272; 87·8%). BCEs decreased the odds of physical and mental health diagnoses. ACEs are highly prevalent and significantly impact the health of Mexican population. BCEs protect against these effects. Considering ACEs in public policies can help establish interventions to prevent adversity and promote positive childhood experiences. Fundación FEMSA, Centro de Primera Infancia from Tecnológico de Monterrey and Fundación FEMSA and Tecnologico de Monterrey Challenge-Based Research Funding Program 2022.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between energy drink consumption and executive function performance in Health Sciences students.Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational-causal design was applied, with a sample of 200 students from the Autonomous University of the State of Quintana Roo. Of these, 105 were women (52.5%) and 95 were men (47.5%), with an average age of 21 years. Data were collected using the Energy Drink Consumption Scale (EDCS) and the EFE-CO Scale, which assesses executive functions. The analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and a Structural Equation Model (SEM).Results: Significant correlations (p < .001) were found between higher energy drink consumption and poorer performance in functions related to monitoring, inhibition, and emotional control. The SEM model confirmed a moderate direct effect of energy drink consumption on executive functions, with a factor loading of λ = 0.66.Conclusions: It was concluded that frequent consumption of energy drinks is associated with significant cognitive impairment in university students. These findings highlight the importance of promoting preventive and educational strategies from a public health and academic perspective, in order to reduce the risks associated with their consumption.

Introduction. The association between sleep and mental health has been observed in the clinical context since individuals with a sleep disorder are more likely to suffer from a mental disorder. Medical students are at high risk in this respect due to the lack of sleep time because of their high workload. Objective. To evaluate a structural equation model predicting the presence of depression through the mediation of anxiety, based on sleep quality in medical students. Method. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with the medical students of the Autonomous University of the State of Quintana Roo from Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico from February to November 2023. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic factors, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Results. Two hundred medical students with an average age of 19.9 years were surveyed to propose a Structural Equation Model, showing that poor sleep quality positively and significantly influences depression, with anxiety serving as a mediator. No direct association was found between poor sleep quality and depression. Discussion and conclusion. A high prevalence of poor sleep quality was observed (75%), surpassing the rates reported in Brazil (68.8%), China (19%), and Lithuania (40%). Moreover, the study showed that women students exhibited higher rates of anxiety and depression. This study underscores the association between sleep quality and mental health, demonstrating that poor sleep quality contributes to increased anxiety and depression among medical students.