Depression in Seniors: A Possible Warning Sign for Brain Diseases

Older adults who develop depression might be showing early signs of brain diseases like Parkinson's or Lewy body dementia. This is what a recent study suggests. The study found that depression becomes more common in these seniors, starting about three years before they are diagnosed with these brain diseases. The researchers looked at data from over 17, 700 Danish people. They compared the rates of depression in people with Parkinson's or Lewy body dementia to those with other long-term illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and osteoporosis. The results were clear. Depression in people with Parkinson's or dementia was not just a reaction to their illness. It was something else.The study found that depression rates were higher in people with Lewy body dementia than in those with Parkinson's. This suggests that depression might be linked to early changes in the brain. It is not just a response to declining health. The researchers emphasized that not everyone with depression will develop a brain disease. However, depression might be a red flag for seniors who are at risk. This is why the researchers say that doctors should be aware of this. They should screen their patients for depressive symptoms. The study's main conclusion is that Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia are linked to a higher risk of depression. This risk is present both before and after diagnosis. This is compared to other chronic conditions.