De relatie tussen atherosclerose, cognitieve achteruitgang en depressie bij ouderen

- It has been suggested in the literature that atherosclerosis is a common causal pathway of cognitive impairment and late-onset depression, which may explain their co-occurrence in old age.

- In both the ‘Leiden 85-plus Study’ and the literature, strong evidence is found for a causal relationship between atherosclerosis and cognitive impairment, but there is less evidence for a causal relationship between atherosclerosis and late-onset depression.

- In the ‘Leiden 85-plus Study’, cognitive impairment was a risk factor for the development of late-onset depression, but depression in old age did not predict cognitive decline.

- This means that the prevention of atherosclerosis might prevent cognitive impairment and hence late-onset depression in old age.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006;150:2307-11