Key TakeawaysDementia is linked to specific symptoms of depression in middle age, rather than depression overallResearchers identified six symptoms of depression that completely drive the link between midlife depression and dementiaLack of self-confidence and difficulty coping with problems individually increase dementia risk by roughly 50%MONDAY, Dec. 22, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Depression in middle age has previously been linked to an increased risk of dementia. Focusing on these six symptoms might help people struggling with midlife depression avoid dementia later in life, researchers said. Depression symptoms were assessed in 1997-1999, when all the participants were dementia-free and middle-aged, at an average age of 55. On the other hand, other depression symptoms like sleep problems, suicidal thoughts and low mood showed no meaningful link with dementia risk, the study found. SOURCE: University College London, news release, Dec. 15, 2025What This Means For YouPeople with specific depression symptoms might be at increased risk for dementia later in life.

Source: Daily Sun December 23, 2025 00:11 UTC