Depression in older adults and its associations with sleep and synaptic density
Depression among older adults is a global concern, contributing to disability and overall illness burden. Understanding its trajectory, associated risk factors, and implications for mortality is essential for effective intervention. Moreover, the relationship between depression, sleep disturbances,...
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| Published in: | Journal of affective disorders Vol. 366; pp. 379 - 385 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Netherlands
Elsevier B.V
01-12-2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Depression among older adults is a global concern, contributing to disability and overall illness burden. Understanding its trajectory, associated risk factors, and implications for mortality is essential for effective intervention. Moreover, the relationship between depression, sleep disturbances, and synaptic density in the ageing brain remains complex and poorly understood.
Using data from the University of Manchester Longitudinal Study of Cognition in Normal Healthy Old Age cohort, comprising 6375 participants, we conducted comprehensive assessments of depression trajectories using generalized linear mixed models and mortality risks using Cox mixed-effects models. Generalized structural equation modelling was performed to explore longitudinal associations between sleep duration and depression. Lastly, associations between post-mortem synaptic density and depression were investigated.
Our findings revealed that depression rates declined until age 80 before increasing again. Depression was associated with a 10 % increased risk of mortality in older adults. Reduced sleep was correlated with depression, and depression measured early in the study predicted future reduced sleep. Post-mortem analysis showed a global reduction in synaptic density associated with depression, particularly pronounced in the frontal lobe.
Limitations include recall bias, limiting generalizability due to dominantly including White British participants and difficulty in establishing causation between synaptic density and depression.
Our study underscores the significance of addressing depression in older adults, not only for mental health but also for mortality risk and neurobiological health. Early detection and intervention strategies are crucial for improving outcomes in elderly populations, potentially mitigating adverse effects on sleep, synaptic density, cognitive health, and longevity.
•Depression trajectories in older adults exhibit a U-shaped pattern, with rates rising after age 80.•Older individuals with depression face a 10 % increased risk of mortality.•Depression correlates with a global reduction in synaptic density, particularly evident in the frontal lobe. |
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| Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
| ISSN: | 0165-0327 1573-2517 1573-2517 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.186 |