A new international study, led by the University of Adelaide, has solidified the connection between depression in midlife or later and an elevated risk of developing dementia.
Published in eClinicalMedicine, part of The Lancet Discovery Science, the research involved a comprehensive review of 26 studies. It consistently found that late-life depression is linked to a higher probability of all-cause dementia.
According to lead author Jacob Brain, a joint PhD scholar at the University of Adelaide and the University of Nottingham, these findings underscore that depression increases dementia risk regardless of when it occurs—in midlife or later. This highlights the critical importance of addressing and treating depression throughout life to support both mental and cognitive well-being.
With over 57 million people globally affected by dementia, this research further clarifies that the timing and severity of depression may influence this connection. The complex underlying relationship is thought to involve factors such as chronic inflammation, vascular changes, neurobiological decline, and shared genetic or lifestyle elements.
Brain noted that their findings suggest late-life depression might not only be a risk factor but also an early indicator of developing dementia, paving the way for new strategies in early intervention and prevention, reported Xinhua.
