Depression as a risk factor for later dementia: A robust relationship?

Abstract

Summarising these findings conclusively may be premature at this stage. However, studies to date do support a strong association between depression and cognitive impairment when they occur in close proximity, but even here the effect is bidirectional. The importance of a prodromal role for depression in dementia should not be underestimated as clinicians must be alert for psychiatric symptoms in late life as the presenting symptom of a neurodegenerative disease. The association between depression and cognitive impairment becomes more difficult to demonstrate the further they are separated in time and yet there are hints of an additional effect beyond the prodromal model alone. One intriguing future test of this 'causative' hypothesis is whether successful treatment of mood disorder in early or mid-life actually reduces the risk of later cognitive decline. © The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society.