Depression, Behavior Changes May Start in Alzheimer’s Even Before Memory Changes

New findings regarding the connection between depression and the appearance of Alzheimer’s disease have been published in the journal Neurology by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The study followed 2,416 subjects over the age of 50 who were tracked long-term for symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease at accredited treatment centers. 1,218 participants were found to develop levels of dementia, which was notably preceded by altered moods such as apathy, changes in appetite, irritability and depression. Those exhibiting depression symptoms were twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. “We still don’t know whether depression is a response to the psychological process of Alzheimer’s disease or a result of the same underlying changes in the brain. More research is needed to identify the relationship between these two conditions,” explained the author. This study adds to conflicting research regarding the link between depression and Alzheimer’s, calling into question which condition leads to the development of the other. To learn more about this study, click here.