A research team from University College London (UCL) has found that certain symptoms of depression experienced in middle age may signal a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. In a large-scale study, specialists analyzed data from nearly six thousand people who were monitored over the course of two decades. The participants, aged 45 to 69, showed no signs of dementia at the start of the observation period.
Over the following twenty years, doctors and specialists tracked these individuals’ health. By 2023, 10% of participants had been diagnosed with dementia. However, it was not depression as a whole, but specific symptoms that were linked to the risk of cognitive impairment.
Key symptoms
The study identified six symptoms that appeared most frequently in those who later developed dementia. These included loss of self-confidence, persistent feelings of nervousness, difficulty concentrating, lack of satisfaction from accomplishments, trouble coping with life’s challenges, and diminished sense of attachment to others.
Researchers paid special attention to two indicators: lower self-esteem and the inability to cope with difficulties. Each of these increased the likelihood of developing dementia by about 50%. The other symptoms also contributed, but to a lesser extent.
Long-term consequences
The authors of the study emphasize that not all manifestations of depression are equally dangerous for the brain. For example, sleep problems or suicidal thoughts did not show a significant connection with dementia in the long term. This finding offers a new perspective on the prevention and early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.
According to epidemiological psychologist Philipp Frank, analyzing individual symptoms provides a more accurate picture of who might be at risk long before the first signs of dementia appear. This approach opens up new possibilities for early intervention and personalized support.
Study limitations
Despite the significance of the results, the researchers point out that their conclusions are based on data from the United Kingdom and mainly involve healthy government employees. The prevalence of dementia among participants was lower than the national average. Therefore, additional research in more diverse population groups is needed.
Nevertheless, the findings may serve as a starting point for further scientific work. Taking into account the aging global population and the increasing number of dementia cases, timely risk identification is becoming especially relevant.
Personalized approach
Experts emphasize that depression and dementia are complex, multifaceted conditions that manifest differently in each individual. Establishing a clear causal link between them is challenging, but the patterns identified indicate the need for personalized prevention and treatment strategies.
Epidemiologist Mika Kivimäki notes that even symptoms considered normal in middle age may offer important insight into the brain’s future health. Being attentive to these signs can help prevent serious neurological disorders.
In case you didn’t know, University College London (UCL) is one of the UK’s leading research universities, founded in 1826. UCL is renowned for its achievements in medicine, psychology, and neuroscience. The university employs over 13,000 staff and has more than 40,000 students. UCL scientists regularly publish research that influences global science and healthcare.
Previously, we reported that the risk of developing dementia begins to form as early as childhood and adolescence. In the article “Scientists discovered: dementia forms from early childhood and adolescence” the factors affecting brain health throughout life were examined in detail. These findings support today’s conclusions about the importance of early detection and prevention.
