Summary
Researchers in the Netherlands, following 3325 adults aged over 55 years for 11 years, have discovered an association between symptoms of depression which increase steadily over time in older adults and a greater likelihood of developing early signs of dementia.
Other patterns of depression, including brief and stable chronic periods of depression, appear to be unlinked with heightened dementia risk.
The exact relationship between depression and dementia risk remains unclear, so it may be premature to speculate about strategies for prevention. Potential hypotheses concerning the underlying cause(s) of this statistical relationship are numerous:
“A [research] focus on lifestyle factors such as physical activity and social networks, and biological risk factors such as vascular disease, neuroinflammation, high concentrations of stress hormones, and neuropathological changes, might bring new treatment and prevention strategies a step closer… ”. Dr Simone Reppermund [Editorial comment].
Reference
Worsening depression ‘may predict dementia risk’. London: BBC Health News, April 30th 2016.
This related to:
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Reference
Mirza, SS. Wolters, FJ. [and] Swanson, SA. [et al] (2016). 10-year trajectories of depressive symptoms and risk of dementia: a population-based study. The Lancet Psychiatry. April 29th 2016. [Epub ahead of print].
Related editorial comment:
Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Reppermund, S. (2016). Depression in old age: the first step to dementia? The Lancet Psychiatry. April 29th 2016. [Epub ahead of print].
Aetiopathogenesis Model(s) of Depression in Dementia
Possibly also of interest, an earlier article presenting a broader investigation of the underlying risk factors:
Reference
Kar, SK. Singh, A. [and] Prakash, O. (2015). Depression in dementia: an update of neurobiologic risk factors. Journal of Geriatric Care and Research. 2015, 2(2): pp.19-25.
