Depression and Risk for Alzheimer Disease

Abstract

Depression is a critically important issue for those working with the elderly and especially those working with older persons with Alzheimer disease (AD). Depression affects a large number of elderly people1 and has been associated with poor cognitive function.2 Its treatment has been associated with improved functional status.3 It is a significant behavioral aspect of the symptomatology of AD4 that affects the cognitive and functional status of patients with AD.5 A better understanding of the relation of AD and depression thus might have important clinical and research implications.