Depression in midlife increases risk of dementia by 80%

The link between dementia and depression has been established in many studies.

The study, which involved 13,500 people, examined symptoms of depression in middle and old age, as well as the risks of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia. As part of the survey, participants answered detailed questions about their health behaviors and medical history, and their height, weight, and blood pressure were recorded.

During the last six years of follow-up, 22.5% of the patients were diagnosed with dementia, 5.5% were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and 2.3% were diagnosed with vascular dementia, a type of dementia that results from damage to the brain due to impaired blood flow. blood to the brain.

People who became depressed in late life had a 70% higher risk of developing dementia, and those who had been depressed since middle age had an 80% higher risk.

Due to its observational nature, the study could not definitively establish cause and effect, but the findings suggest that depression precedes vascular dementia.

People who were depressed in middle and old age had an increased risk of developing vascular dementia, and depression may be a true risk factor.

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Author: alex

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