Individuals who have suffered depression are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease later in life than those who have not, according to a study published in the current edition of Neurology.
The study examined 486 people between the ages of 60 and 90. Of these, 134 had experienced at least one episode of depression during their lives for which they sought medical attention.
Subjects were monitored for approximately six years. During this time, 33 developed Alzheimer's disease. Those with a history of depression were 2.5 times more likely to develop the disease. If the depression had occurred before age 60, this rate increased to nearly four times.
Researchers speculate this relationship between depression and Alzheimer's disease may occur because depression causes a loss of brain cells in the amygdala and hippocampus which later contributes to the development of Alzheimer's.
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