The Lancet: Six depressive symptoms increase the risk of dementia

In midlife, it is not depression itself but only several specific symptoms that can significantly increase the risk of dementia in older age. This conclusion was reached by researchers from University College London. The study was published in The Lancet Psychiatry.

The scientists analyzed data from 5,811 participants in the UK-based long-term Whitehall II study. In the late 1990s, when participants were aged 45 to 69 and none showed signs of dementia, they completed detailed questionnaires on depressive symptoms. Their health status was then followed for 25 years using national medical registries. Over this period, dementia was diagnosed in about 10% of participants.

The analysis showed that the increased risk of dementia was associated not with depression as a whole, but with six specific symptoms present in midlife. These included loss of self-confidence, a feeling of being unable to cope with difficulties, a lack of warmth and affection toward others, persistent nervousness, dissatisfaction with how tasks are carried out, and problems with concentration. These manifestations fully explained the link between midlife depression and later dementia, especially among people younger than 60.

Interestingly, other common symptoms of depression—including sleep disturbances, low mood, or suicidal thoughts—did not show a significant association with long-term dementia risk. This highlights that depression is a heterogeneous condition, and that its individual symptoms may have different implications for brain health.

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter