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Six Midlife Depressive Symptoms Linked to Dementia Decades Later
UCL researchers found six midlife depressive symptoms linked to a 10.1% dementia incidence over 25 years in 5,811 adults, highlighting specific early risk markers.
- On December 15, 2025, University College London researchers found six specific midlife depressive symptoms linked to increased dementia risk, published in The Lancet Psychiatry.
- Researchers analysed data from 5,811 middle-aged adults in the Whitehall II study assessed in 1997–1999, tracking dementia diagnoses to 2023 with 10.1% developing dementia.
- Reporting specific symptoms such as lost confidence and concentration problems showed lost confidence was linked to a 51 increased dementia risk, and difficulty coping with problems to 49.
- Paying attention to these symptom patterns could open new opportunities for early prevention and more personalised mental-health treatments, but there is limited evidence that treating midlife depression might reduce later dementia risk, researchers say.
- The study's sample was 72% male and 92% White, so applicability to women and ethnic minorities remains uncertain, and authors urge more research and replication across diverse populations.
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12 Articles
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Depression in midlife has long been considered a risk factor for developing dementia later in life.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Center, 43% Right
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center, 43% of the sources lean Right
43% Right
14%
C 43%
R 43%
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