Young and middle-aged people who suffer from depression appear to be at higher risk of developing dementia, a serious problem later in life.new research in JAMA Neurology People diagnosed with depression between the ages of 18 and 59 were 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia after their 60s, researchers found. USA Today. CNN Dr. Holly Elser, an epidemiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, and her co-authors report analyzing data from more than 1.4 million Danish subjects over more than 40 years, from 1977 to 2018. The study followed individuals with and without a diagnosis of depression. It examines the progression of dementia symptoms considering variables such as education, income and physical illness.
Elser said past research has shown that therapy can reduce anxiety and depression in older adults and may reduce the likelihood of developing dementia in the future, so drug therapy is not recommended. said more research is needed on how therapy can help. The researchers were unable to determine whether young people seeking treatment could reduce their risk of future dementia. Still, “our paper further emphasizes the importance of managing depression clinically when it occurs, as it can affect us throughout our lives,” Elser said. Stated. (Read more stories about dementia.)
