Depression In Midlife & In Later Life Linked To Greater Dementia Risk

Depression in both midlife (before age 65) and later life (after age 65) increases dementia risk, and late-life depression may signal the early stages of dementia development, according to a recent report. The researchers suggested that midlife depression may accelerate cognitive decline due to chronic inflammation and vascular dysregulation. They also found that depression in late life shares symptoms with early cognitive decline, such as impairments to concentration, attention, and other aspects of executive functioning, along with inertia, apathy, lassitude, and psychomotor agitation.  

The researchers recommended prioritizing the use of standardized depression assessments, as well as self-reports and . . .