Depression is a mental illness characterized by three main symptoms 1) a low, depressed mood, 2) loss of interest, lack of joy, and 3) lack of motivation and increased fatigue.
1.) Bundesärztekammer (BÄK), Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV), Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften (AWMF) (2022). Nationale VersorgungsLeitlinie Unipolare Depression – Langfassung, Version 3.2. Verfügbar unter https://www.dgppn.de/_Resources/Persistent/af938cfd12c33afa194fe7e8251599b8016346a9/nvl-005l_S3_Unipolare-Depression_2023-07.pdf [Abgerufen am 18.05.2026]
Chand, S. P., & Arif, H. (2023, July 17). Depression. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28613597/
Why is depression a risk factor for dementia?
| Background | Studies show: Depression increases the risk of dementia at all stages of life. This applies to depression in middle age as well as in later years. |
| Mechanisms: | Depression often goes hand in hand with reduced self-care (Awareness of one's own needs) and increased social isolation Both can impair cognitive functions and increase the risk of dementia. Physical reactions to depression are comparable to chronic stress, with an increased Cortisol is distributed. Through high cortisol levels In the blood, damage occurs in the hippocampus (brain region important for memory and learning). In cases of depression, Chronic inflammation detectable in the body, which can also damage the brain and increase the risk of dementia. |
Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu KY, Costafreda SG, Selbæk G, Alladi S, Ames D, Banerjee S, Burns A, Brayne C, Fox NC, Ferri CP, Gitlin LN, Howard R, Kales HC, Kivimäki M, Larson EB, Nakasujja N, Rockwood K, Samus Q, Shirai K, Singh-Manoux A, Schneider LS, Walsh S, Yao Y, Sommerlad A, Mukadam N. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet. 2024 Aug 10;404(10452):572-628. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0. Epub 2024 Jul 31. PMID: 39096926.
What can I do?
Practical approaches to preventing depression:
Pay attention to regular physical activity. Exercise strengthens your cardiovascular system and promotes blood circulation in the brain. This way, exercise can protect cognitive and emotional health by slowing down neurodegenerative processes.
• Stay in touch and boost your mental activity. Regularly participate in social and possibly cognitively stimulating activities (e.g., board games, book clubs, group sports, etc.). Stay in touch with friends and family, as social connections generally help reduce the risk of loneliness and depression, thereby potentially having positive effects on cognitive health.
• Take care of your Sleep quality. Sleep is important for brain regeneration. Good, restful sleep reduces the risk of depression and cognitive decline by stabilizing the brain's glycemic regulation and mood.
• Try Reduce stress and take care of your mental health. Psychotherapy, mindfulness exercises, or stress management methods can help address depression early on and build resilience. This is particularly effective for dementia prevention, as chronic stress has been linked to neuronal damage and memory problems.
Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu KY, Costafreda SG, Selbæk G, Alladi S, Ames D, Banerjee S, Burns A, Brayne C, Fox NC, Ferri CP, Gitlin LN, Howard R, Kales HC, Kivimäki M, Larson EB, Nakasujja N, Rockwood K, Samus Q, Shirai K, Singh-Manoux A, Schneider LS, Walsh S, Yao Y, Sommerlad A, Mukadam N. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet. 2024 Aug 10;404(10452):572-628. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0. Epub 2024 Jul 31. PMID: 39096926.
2.) Pozzi, F. E., Remoli, G., Tremolizzo, L., Appollonio, I., Ferrarese, C., & Cuffaro, L. (2024). Brain Health and Cognition in Older Adults: Roadmap and Milestones towards the Implementation of Preventive Strategies. Brain Sciences, 14(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14010055
