Studies show a strong link between depression and dementia. While young adults are getting anxious and depressed more than ever before.

Depression in late adulthood is often thought to be an early symptom of dementia, and many previous studies have connected the two, Dr. Holly Elser epidemiologist and resident physician in neurology at the University of Pennsylvania said. But the latest study shows a connection between dementia risk and depression diagnoses in early and mid-life as well.

The new study shows a diagnosis of depression in adulthood could more than double your risk of developing dementia in older age.The study, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, used data from more than 1.4 million Danish citizens who were followed from 1977 to 2018, said lead study author Dr. Holly Elser.

People that were part of the study, were identified in the onset as having a depression diagnosis or not. The researchers then followed all the individuals throughout the years following to see who developed dementia later in life. Researchers adjusted for factors like education, income, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, substance use disorder and bipolar disorder.

The large dataset and data analytics researchers confirmed a reliable connection between depression and dementia, but the study is limited by the unavailability of information like genetic data, said Dr. Natalie Marchant, associate professor in the division of psychiatry at University College London. Marchant was not involved in the research.

Depression in late adulthood is often thought to be an early symptom of dementia, and many previous studies have connected the two together, Elser said. However the latest studies show a connection between dementia risk and depression diagnoses in early and mid-life as well later years.

“Our results therefore provide strong evidence that depression is not only an early symptom of dementia, but also that depression increases dementia risk,” she said.

How are Depression and Dementia linked?

Although the association between depression and dementia is clear, there are still many questions the study does not answer. Answers to these questions could unlock the connections and help researchers to find ways to reduce depression leading to dementia.

“There may be shared common risk factors for depression and dementia that occur earlier in the life. Depression may increase the risk of dementia through alterations in levels of key neurotransmitters, or depression may lead to changes in health behaviours that in turn increase risk for dementia,” added by Marchant.

“There is a clear need for future research that examines potential mechanisms that relate depression earlier in adulthood to subsequent onset of dementia,” Elser said.

Another piece of the data that could certainly use further analysis and exploration is the stronger association found in men than women, Marchant debated.

“This is an interesting finding, which I hope will be further explored, It lends support to the idea that we need to routinely consider risk factors for dementia in men and women separately because there may be different mechanisms involved for both.” Marchant concluded.

Why get treated for depression?

The double hit of depression and dementia may be scary to many especially as they age, and people may be wondering – will getting treatment for depression reduce the risk of dementia? The answer to this question is still not clear.

The latest studies look at treatment with anti-depressant medication within six months of diagnosis and did not see a difference in risk between the treated and untreated groups, Elser confirmed.

More research into whether medication and cognitive behavioural therapy with different timing and duration is effective for lowering dementia risk will be important moving forward, she added.

Preliminary findings from other observational studies show older adults who took part in therapy that reduced their symptoms of depression and/or anxiety also had a reduced risk of future dementia, Marchant added.

Because the studies were observational, however, researchers cannot say if the therapy caused there to be less cases of dementia, she added.

“Nevertheless, looking after your mental health is definitely still important for your well-being in the present,” Marchant said.

Regardless of dementia risk, treating depression should be a priority, Elser agreed.

Depression is extremely prevalent in society and is becoming an issue for more and more adults, that are aged younger and younger. Depression is not something many people can solve overnight or with a special treatment. Rather living with depression can be effectively done for some individuals by dealing with the symptoms (sometimes with medication) and accessing additional treatment to heal from any hidden trauma which triggers the depression.

Increased rates of depression are occurring globally, with the highest rates in developed nation. Depression is associated with significant individual and societal costs that include treatment, prevention of harm to others or oneself, and in some cases confinement in a designated mental health facility. Effective treatment of depressive symptoms should always be a priority to society regardless of whether the individual has the potential risk for dementia later in life.

4 Ways to Reduce the Affects of Depression

Although man factors can affect a person’s risk of depression or dementia, such as genetics, or damage to the brain from an injury, there are factors within our control. Below are ways to reduce the risk of depression and in turn dementia.

Maintain Healthy Lifestyle

Consume alcohol, Tobacco, or drugs in moderate amount amounts, or avoid all together. Toxic chemicals can damage the sensitive network in the brain and increase the risk of depression or dementia in the future. Maintain healthy sleep patterns, moderate screen time, and always work some nature time into your schedule. If you love animals try to find ways to be around them more often, such as volunteering at a local humane society.

Establish Good Nutrition

Poor nutrition has been shown to increase anxiety and depression. Overeating and under-eating are both unhealthy practices. Attempt to eat a healthy amount of calories daily. Consuming smaller meals more often or fewer meals with more value, are best. Meals that are high in fibre, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins are essential to maintain energy.

Always Stay Active

Whether it is getting up and doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, shovelling the snow, walking the dog, or going for groceries, staying active daily will increase blood flow and help to energize the boy and mind. Physical activity has been shown to potentially reduce symptoms of depression. Staying active can also protect the brain as you age.

Keep Social Relationships

Social relationships are very important to maintaining a positive healthy lifestyle. Loneliness can potentially be a factor in increasing the risk of both depression and dementia. Have more conversations with more people everyday. Have dinner with your family or with friends as often as possible. Social relationships can go a long way in reducing the potential risk of future depression and dementia.