Study links depression with high risk of dementia in both mid and later-life
Depression can significantly raise the risk of dementia both in middle age as well as among those aged 50 and above, according to a study
Published on May 30, 2025
By IANS
- NEW DELHI — Depression can significantly raise the risk of dementia both in
middle age as well as among those aged 50 and above, according to a study.
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- Dementia affects over 57 million people globally. There
is currently no cure, so identifying and treating the factors to reduce the
risk, such as depression, is an important public health priority.
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- The findings showed that potential links between
depression and dementia are complex and may include chronic inflammation,
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, vascular changes,
alterations to neurotrophic factors, and neurotransmitter imbalances. Shared
genetic and behavioural-related modifications may also increase the risks.
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- The study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine,
highlights the importance of recognising and treating depression across the
life course, not just for mental health, but also as part of a broader strategy
to protect brain health.
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- “Public health efforts need to place greater emphasis on
preventative brain health, including scaling up access to effective mental
health care," said Jacob Brain from the Institute of Mental Health and
School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, UK.
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- Previous studies have shown that people with depression
are more likely to develop dementia later in life. Still, there's been a lot of
debate about when depression matters most, whether it's depression that starts
in midlife -- in the 40s or 50s, or depression that appears later in life -- in
the 60s or beyond.
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- This new research brings together all the existing
evidence and adds new analysis to examine this timing in more detail.
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- "Our findings raise the possibility that depression
late in life may not just be a risk factor, but it could also be an early
warning sign of dementia beginning to develop. By clarifying this timing, our
work helps guide future research, treatment, and prevention strategies,"
Brain said.
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- The study, based on a meta-analysis of more than 20
studies involving over 34 lakh participants, specifically focused on the timing
of when depression was measured, whether it was measured in midlife or later
life, and calculated how much it increased the risk of developing dementia.
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- This essentially helped the researchers to provide a more
accurate and up-to-date picture of how depression at different life stages is
linked to dementia risk."
