Increasing depression symptoms in older age linked to early sign of Alzheimer's

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-08-30 01:00

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Emerging depression symptoms in older age are linked to a build up of a protein called beta-amyloid in the brain, which may be an early sign of Alzheimer's, according to international research. Previous studies have shown depression may be a harbinger of Alzheimer's, so the researchers tested whether that link is related to the accumulation of beta-amyloid in brain regions involved in emotional control. Recruiting 154 older people with few depression symptoms and low beta-amyloid at the beginning of the study, the researchers monitored their depression symptoms, brain function and beta-amyloid levels over time. They say increasing depressive symptoms were associated with beta-amyloid accumulation, independent of any change in brain function. The researchers say this means increasing depressive symptoms in older age could be a sign of Alzheimer's beginning to develop, and treating the depression could potentially help ward off dementia.

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conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Harvard Medical School, USA

Funder: Thisworkwas supported by the NIH/NIA (grant No. P01 AG036694 to Drs Johnson and Sperling; grant No. K24 AG035007 toDr Sperling).Dr Munro is supported by the Alzheimer’s Association Research Fellowship (AARF-23-1150240). Dr Farrell is supported by NIH/NIA (grant No. K01AG083062). Dr Hanseeuw is supported by the Belgian Fund for Scientific Research (CCL40010417) andWellbio (40010035). Dr Rentz is supported by theARMADA grant No. 1U2CAG057441.Dr Buckley is supported by the NIHR00Pathway to Independence award (grant No. R00AG061238), the DP2NewInnovator award (grant No. DP2AG082342), and an R01 (grant No. R01AG079142). Dr Vannini is funded by the NIH/NIA (grant No. 5R01AG061083-05). Dr Amariglio is funded by the NIH/NIA (grant No. 5R01AG058825-04). Dr Quiroz is supported by the NIH/NIA (grant Nos. R01AG054671 and RF1AG077627), the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Massachusetts General Hospital Executive Committee on Research. Dr Blacker is supported by the NIH/NIA (grant No. 5P30 AG062421). Dr Sperling is supported by the NIH/NIA (grant No. P01 AG036694) and by a K24 funded by the NIH/NIA (grant No. AG035007).Dr Johnson is funded by the NIH/NIA (grant No. P01 AG036694). Dr Marshall has received funding from the NIH/NIA (grant Nos. R01 AG053184 and R01 AG067021). Dr Gatchel receives funding from the NIH/NIA (grant Nos. K23 AG058805-01 and R01AG078191), and the Massachusetts General Hospital Rappaport Fellowship.

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