title: Late-life depression as a possible predictor of dementia: cross-sectional and short-term follow-up results.
abstract: The authors explored cognitive functioning of a group of elderly subjects with depression. The group as a whole, and, in particular, the late-onset group (LOD), demonstrated cognitive impairment on the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS). Subgroup differences were significant at P=0.004. This between-group difference was not seen when age and level of education were controlled. In the LOD group, 47.5% (vs. 31.5% of the early-onset group [P=0.025]), scored below the cutoff for dementia. Age-at-onset status in a logistic regression model predicted MDRS category, and treatment of the depression had little effect on cognition. Results support the hypothesis that late-life depression, particularly LOD, is associated with cognitive impairment that may represent early AD.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors