People suffering from depression are more likely to develop memory problems, or dementia, in their old age, according to a study published in the journal Neurology.
Previous studies show that depression is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, obesity and insomnia. Recent work by researchers at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester shows that people with this condition are almost twice as likely to develop dementia, i.e. problems with memory and other cognitive skills.
The team led by Dr. Jane Saczynski analyzed data collected in a group of 949 people with an average age of 79. All subjects participated in a long-term study called the Framingham Heart Study to understand the causes of heart disease.
At the start of the study, participants had no problems with memory and other intellectual abilities. They all underwent tests to assess symptoms of depression, sleep problems, and social relationships. Depression was found in 125 people (13%). The health of the subjects was followed for the next 17 years.
After this time, dementia (mainly in the form of Alzheimer’s disease) developed in approx. 22 percent. people who were depressed at the time of the study, and in 17% people who have not been diagnosed with depression. As calculated by scientists, people suffering from depression had 70 percent. higher risk of deterioration of mental abilities in old age than the rest of the respondents.
This finding was true for both men and women and was not related to known risk factors for dementia such as age, education, and the variant of the gene that increased the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (i.e. the epsilon 4 variant of the APOE gene).
It is currently unclear whether depression causes dementia, but it is known that it can influence its risk in many ways, comments Dr.Saczynski.
For example, inflammation in the nerve tissue of the brain, which is more common in people with depression, can contribute to mental deterioration. Also, some proteins that rise in depression can contribute to the onset of dementia. In addition, people suffering from depression for a long time are more likely to lead an unhealthy lifestyle – they follow an unhealthy diet, move little and do not engage in contacts with others, which also leads to a deterioration of intellectual abilities. (PAP)