Depression is known to increase the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. However, a new study has found that depression and anxiety are linked to an earlier onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
According to the study, if people develop Alzheimer’s disease, those with depression may start experiencing symptoms of depression about two years earlier than those without depression.
The study also suggested that people with anxiety who develop Alzheimer’s may start experiencing depressive symptoms about three years earlier than those without anxiety.
The study will be presented at the 73rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology to be held from April 17 to 22, 2021.
“More research is needed to understand the impact of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety on the development of Alzheimer’s disease and whether the treatment and management of depression and anxiety may help prevent or delay the onset depression for people prone to it, “said study author Zachary A. Miller, MD, University of California, San Francisco, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.
Miller said, “Of course this is not to say that people with depression and anxiety develop Alzheimer ‘s disease, but people with these conditions may consider ways to improve long – term brain health. encourage time with their healthcare providers. “
Beyond the most common psychiatric disorders, depression and anxiety, the study also examined for a history of bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia. Of the 1,500 people surveyed with Alzheimer’s disease, 43 percent had a history of depression, 32 percent had anxiety, 1.2 percent had bipolar disorder, 1 percent post-traumatic stress disorder, and 0.4 percent schizophrenia.
Researchers also found a linear decrease in age at onset of symptoms that first doubled with each additional psychiatric disorder diagnosis. People with only one disorder developed symptoms about 1.5 years before those without psychiatric disorders. Those with two psychiatric conditions developed symptoms 3.3 years earlier than those without conditions. And those with three or more psychiatric disorders developed symptoms 7.3 years earlier than those without such a condition.
In addition to screening for a history of one of these five psychiatric disorders, researchers also looked at the interactions between psychiatric illness and other established risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, such as high blood pressure. , high cholesterol, and diabetes, along with factors that have recently been linked to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, such as autoimmune disease or a history of seizures.
The researchers found that people with depression and anxiety were more likely to be female and consistent with the youngest age at onset, that they had fewer of the usual risk factors for Alzheimer’s. However, those with depression were more likely to develop an autoimmune disease and those with anxiety were more likely to have a history of seizures.
“While this link between depression and autoimmune disease, and seizures and anxiety is very early, we recognize that the display of depression in some people may be a burden. more neuroinflammation, “Miller said.
Miller noted, “The presence of anxiety may indicate a greater degree of neuronal hyperexcitability, where the networks in the brain are overridden, which may open up new therapeutic targets. for the prevention of dementia. ”
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This story was published from a wire group group with no text changes.