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New research has found that worsening symptoms of depression could be an early sign of dementia in the elderly.  Researchers in the Netherlands studied 3,000 adults aged 55 and over.  They all had depression, but none had signs of dementia at the start of the study.  During the study, those whose symptoms of depression increased also developed dementia.  The researchers theorise that symptoms of depression that increase over time are a better predictor of dementia later in life than other forms of depression.

Research suggests that worsening signs of depression can be an early sign of dementiaDr M Arfan Ikram of the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam said depressive symptoms that gradually increase over time appear to be a better predictor of dementia later in life than other paths of depression.  People whose symptoms of depression came and went over time, or stayed the same, were not found to be at an increased risk.  

Depression is common in the elderly, but that does not mean that it is normal.  It is thought that only around 10% of older people will receive treatment for their depression. Unfortunately, the symptoms of depression are often confused with other medical conditions or seen as a normal part of ageing, and so can remain untreated.

Depression tends to last longer in older people and occurs often with other physical conditions. For example, depression can increase the risk of cardiac arrest in older people.  It can also reduce the person’s ability to rehabilitate.  Depression increases the likelihood of death from an illness.  It is important, therefore, to ensure that if we suspect an older person of having depression, that we encourage them to seek treatment.

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