Khaberni - A recent Danish study revealed a clear link between depression and future neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and dementia, showing results that symptoms of depression can appear years before these conditions are diagnosed.
The study results also showed that the risk of depression was significantly higher among those with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, with depression rates starting to rise about eight years before the official diagnosis and continuing for at least five years thereafter.
Researchers, according to the "General Psychiatry" magazine, emphasized the importance of systematically screening for depression symptoms in these patients to enhance early care and psychological support.
The study indicated that the relationship was strongest in patients with Lewy body dementia, which may reflect the impact of the disease on brain chemistry related to mood and its faster progression compared to Parkinson's disease.
The researchers considered that depression could be an indicator of early brain changes, such as neural reconnection, before the appearance of motor or cognitive symptoms.
The research team emphasized that the study demonstrates a correlation but does not prove causality, as other factors such as sleep disorders may play a role in the occurrence of depression.
Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia affect more than one million people in the United States alone, impacting mood, memory, and motor functions, while there is no definitive cure for them yet.
However, researchers believe that using depression as an early warning sign could allow for early support and treatment, in addition to opening new avenues for understanding the root causes of these diseases before they worsen.
