Scientists from Fudan University found that treating depression can reduce the risk of dementia. Research results published In the journal Biological Psychiatry.
354,313 people diagnosed with dementia between the ages of 50 and 70 participated in the study. Researchers collected information about the participants’ health status and assessed the severity of their depressive symptoms. Symptoms were divided into four groups: increasing, decreasing, chronic intense and low severity.
The participants were then divided into two groups; The first group included those who had previously used antidepressants and received help from a psychotherapist. Participants in the second group did not treat depression at all, even if they had it.
Researchers found that people with untreated depression were 30% more likely to develop dementia than those who received treatment. It was also observed that depressive symptoms were more intense in people who did not receive treatment, and this reduced the quality of life.
The authors of the study noted that timely treatment of depression in old age is necessary. There is also a relationship between the effectiveness of therapy and its subsequent impact on cognitive abilities; Quality treatment provides better protection against dementia.
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