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Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
Depression and cognition in older adults
Alan J Thomas1, John T O'Brien
1Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK. a.j.thomas@ncl.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Psychiatry
|February 19, 2008
Summary
Depression in older adults often leads to lasting neurocognitive impairment, increasing risks for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Vascular factors and white matter disease play significant roles in this relationship.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Depression is increasingly recognized as linked to neurocognitive deficits.
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a growing area of interest in aging populations.
- Research is actively exploring the complex interplay between depression and cognitive function in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize recent advancements in understanding the relationship between depression and cognitive impairment in the elderly.
- To clarify the current state of research in this rapidly evolving field.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on depression and cognitive impairment in older adults.
- Synthesis of findings regarding neurocognitive deficits, risk factors, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Neurocognitive impairment frequently persists in older adults even after depression recovery.
- Slowed information processing speed, executive dysfunction, and vascular risk factors are implicated.
- Persistent cognitive impairment is associated with an increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
- White matter disease is a direct contributor to depression in older individuals, with worsening effects over time.
- Serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms may be a significant risk factor.
- Depression exacerbates vascular outcomes in peripheral arterial disease.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must recognize the persistence of neurocognitive deficits in depressed older adults.
- These deficits negatively impact patient outcomes.
- Vascular risk factors are important contributors to these neurocognitive deficits and should be managed.
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