Experts warn having these six symptoms in midlife can predict dementia decades later

Researchers have revealed six symptoms that could indicate you have a 27 percent higher risk of developing dementia.

Dementia affects more than six million Americans per year, according to the National Institutes of Health, and it impacts so many more.

So, finding out how to reduce a person’s risk of getting it down the line could save individuals and their loved ones the heartache and pain of the disease.

The link between dementia and depression has been speculated for some time, with many studies attempting to find out what makes a person more likely to develop the progressive disease.

Now, a study has found that there are actually six things people display that are depressive in nature and can predict whether a person will develop dementia in the next two decades.

Six symptoms have been linked to an increased risk of dementia (Getty Stock Images)

The findings were published in the Lancet Psychiatry on Monday December 15 and provide a shocking look at dementia causes.

Do depression symptoms affect dementia likelihood later in life?

The researchers from the University College London in the UK, analyzed data from 5,811 middle-aged people who were mostly white men.

Via a questionnaire, the participants’ depressive symptoms were documented when they were between the ages of 45 and 69.

At this time, nobody taking part had a dementia diagnosis.

However, after following the participants over the next 25 years, it found that of the people were considered to be depressed in midlife, they had a 27 percent higher risk of developing dementia.

In the end, they determined that this risk was caused by six depressive symptoms displayed before the age of 60.

What are the depression symptoms to look out for?

According to the researchers, the symptoms are loss of confidence, unable to face up to problems, not feeling warmth and affection for others, dissatisfaction with how tasks are carried out, challenges with concentration, and nervousness.

The depressive symptoms can increase your chance of developing dementia (Getty Stock Images)

While all were found to be triggers of the increased risk, the researchers found that it was mostly self-confidence and finding it hard to cope with problems that each saw a 50 percent increase in the risk of developing dementia.

“Our findings show that dementia risk is linked to a handful of depressive symptoms rather than depression as a whole. This symptom-level approach gives us a much clearer picture of who may be more vulnerable decades before dementia develops,” said lead author Philipp Frank.

Can treating depression symptoms reduce the likelihood of dementia later in life?

According to the researchers, if the six symptoms are treated in midlife, it could reduce the number of people who would then go on to develop dementia.

This is because the report claims that the depressive symptoms diminish cognitive resilience.

So, if the root cause (depression) is treated, then the risk is no longer present in those people by the time they reach 60 and beyond.

“Everyday symptoms that many people experience in midlife appear to carry important information about long-term brain health. Paying attention to these patterns could open new opportunities for early prevention,” said Frank.

Study co-author Gill Livingston, chair of the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention went on to share: “There is some limited evidence that treating depression in midlife might reduce later dementia risk, but further research is needed to better understand how best to reduce dementia risk.”

At present, there is no known cure for dementia, and there have been numerous associations with developing the disease such as not stimulating your brain, some medications, genetics, your lifestyle choices, and even disease, per Mayo Clinic.

But keeping on top of healthy mental and physical habits could reduce your risk in the long run.