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Depression and risk of cognitive decline and dementia: Implications and strategies for prevention
Auda Fares. Journal of Geriatric Mental Health, 2026-01-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
INTRODUCTION Dementia, a syndrome characterized by a decline in cognitive function beyond what is expected from normal aging, poses a significant global health challenge. Emerging research highlights a complex and bidirectional relationship between depression and dementia, suggesting that depression may not only be a risk factor for dementia but also a consequence of underlying neurodegenerative processes. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE The complex relationship between depression and dementia has been a significant focus of research, revealing a compelling bidirectional link. Not only is comorbid depression highly prevalent among individuals with dementia, with studies reporting depressive symptoms in 37%–41% and major depressive disorder in approximately 16%, but evidence also strongly suggests that prior episodes of depression can increase the risk of developing dementia later in life.[1,2] Meta-analyses have consistently shown a significant association between depression and an elevated risk of all-cause dementia.[3-6] Further solidifying this connection, large-scale studies, including an exposure-wide association study involving hundreds of thousands of participants, indicate that a diagnosis of depression acts as a modifiable risk factor for future dementia.[7] This is further corroborated by long-term follow-up studies emphasizing that individuals who experienced major depressive episodes in middle age face a higher risk of dementia in their elder years.[8] These findings underscore the importance of proactively addressing depression not only for its immediate impact on well-being but also for its potential long-term implications for cognitive health.[9] Interestingly, the use of antidepressants, while beneficial for treating depression itself, does not appear to offer protective benefits against the development of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).[9] While antidepressants may not prevent dementia, specific classes of these medications may have cognitive benefits. Several studies suggest that antidepressants can have a modest positive effect on various cognitive functions, including attention, executive function, memory, and processing speed, particularly in depressed individuals.[10] Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) seem to show the most significant positive impact on cognition in this population.[11] Further, research has explored SSRIs for their effect on amyloid plaques. However, the association between antidepressant use and
Key findings
- INTRODUCTION Dementia, a syndrome characterized by a decline in cognitive function beyond what is expected from normal aging, poses a significant global health challenge.
- Emerging research highlights a complex and bidirectional relationship between depression and dementia, suggesting that depression may not only be a risk factor for dementia but also a consequence of underlying neurodegenerative processes.
- EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE The complex relationship between depression and dementia has been a significant focus of research, revealing a compelling bidirectional link.
- Not only is comorbid depression highly prevalent among individuals with dementia, with studies reporting depressive symptoms in 37%–41% and major depressive disorder in approximately 16%, but evidence also strongly suggests that prior episodes of depression can increase the risk of developing dement
- Several studies suggest that antidepressants can have a modest positive effect on various cognitive functions, including attention, executive function, memory, and processing speed, particularly in depressed individuals.[10] Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) seem to show the most significant positive impact on cognition in this population.[11] Further, research has explored SSRIs for their effect on amyloid plaques.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis describes a bidirectional relationship between depression and dementia, with depression acting as a modifiable risk factor for future dementia and also occurring frequently in people who already have dementia. It discusses implications and strategies for prevention but does not report a treatment or cure for Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designmeta-analysis
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 43/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Geriatric Mental Health) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Journal of Geriatric Mental Health: journal h-index 17 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 0 / 7 | Cited 0 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.0 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 0 / 6 | Cited 0.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 0 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Auda Fares: h-index 8 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Marien Hospital Wesel: institution h-index 104 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 43 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Fares, A. (2026). Depression and risk of cognitive decline and dementia: Implications and strategies for prevention. Journal of Geriatric Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.4103/jgmh.jgmh_4_26
Vancouver
Fares A. Depression and risk of cognitive decline and dementia: Implications and strategies for prevention. Journal of Geriatric Mental Health. 2026. doi:10.4103/jgmh.jgmh_4_26.
BibTeX
@article{fares2026-bf816e7c,
author = {Fares, Auda},
title = {{Depression and risk of cognitive decline and dementia: Implications and strategies for prevention}},
journal = {Journal of Geriatric Mental Health},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.4103/jgmh.jgmh_4_26},
url = {https://doi.org/10.4103/jgmh.jgmh_4_26}
}
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