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A common challenge in older adults: Classification, overlap, and therapy of depression and dementia
Author(s) -
Leyhe Thomas,
Reynolds Charles F.,
Melcher Tobias,
Linnemann Christoph,
Klöppel Stefan,
Blennow Kaj,
Zetterberg Henrik,
Dubois Bruno,
Lista Simone,
Hampel Harald
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.08.007
Subject(s) - dementia , depression (economics) , late life depression , psychiatry , neuropsychology , pharmacotherapy , neuroimaging , medicine , psychology , clinical psychology , cognition , disease , economics , macroeconomics
Abstract Late‐life depression is frequently associated with cognitive impairment. Depressive symptoms are often associated with or even precede a dementia syndrome. Moreover, depressive disorders increase the risk of persistence for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Here, we present both the current state of evidence and future perspectives regarding the integration and value of clinical assessments, neuropsychological, neurochemical, and neuroimaging biomarkers for the etiological classification of the dementia versus the depression syndrome and for the prognosis of depression relating to dementia risk. Finally, we summarize the existing evidence for both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy of depression in demented patients. There is an urgent need for large‐scale collaborative research to elucidate the role and interplay of clinical and biological features in elderly individuals with depressive disorders who are at elevated risk for developing dementia. To overcome barriers for successful drug development, we propose the introduction of the precision medicine paradigm to this research field.