--- title: These Six Depression Symptoms May Increase Dementia Risk description: Just six common symptoms of depression were responsible for the link between depression in middle-age and future dementia. image: https://alert.psychnews.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/professional_man_iStock-1475625136.jpg --- 12/17/25 8:55 AM # These Six Depression Symptoms May Increase Dementia Risk ![Picture of Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Psych%20News%20Email%20Banners/PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png?width=50&name=PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png) [ Psychiatric News Alert ](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert) Share: [facebook-f icon ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://alert.psychnews.org/these-six-depression-symptoms-may-increase-dementia-risk) [linkedin-in icon ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://alert.psychnews.org/these-six-depression-symptoms-may-increase-dementia-risk) [Twitter icon ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://alert.psychnews.org/these-six-depression-symptoms-may-increase-dementia-risk) [pinterest-p icon ](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://alert.psychnews.org/these-six-depression-symptoms-may-increase-dementia-risk) [envelope icon ](mailto:?body=https://alert.psychnews.org/these-six-depression-symptoms-may-increase-dementia-risk) ![professional_man_iStock-1475625136](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/professional_man_iStock-1475625136.jpg?width=220&height=147&name=professional_man_iStock-1475625136.jpg)Just six common symptoms of depression were responsible for the link between depression in middle-age and future dementia, according to a 23-year prospective [study](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(25)00331-1/fulltext) issued by the *Lancet Psychiatry*.   **Why It’s Relevant** Treating depression as a unitary construct might hinder the identification of patient subgroups who are most at risk of developing dementia. A more nuanced understanding of **symptom-specific associations** might help clinicians pinpoint which middle-aged patients are most at risk.   **What Was Done** Researchers examined responses from 5,811 middle-aged civil service workers (72% men, 92% White, average age 56) who took the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) as part of this longitudinal study.   At baseline, 1,248 participants (22%) had elevated depressive symptoms (GHQ-30 score ≥5). Over the 23-year follow-up, 586 individuals (10%) developed dementia.   **By the Numbers** Overall, having an elevated GHQ-30 score at baseline was associated with a 27% increased risk of dementia. In analyses adjusted for age, sex, and ethnicity, **six of the 30 symptoms** were associated with long-term dementia risk in individuals **under 60**: - “Losing confidence in myself”: 51% greater risk of dementia - “Not able to face up to problems”: 49% - “Not feeling warmth and affection for others”: 44% - “Nervous and strung-up all the time”: 34% - “Not satisfied with the way tasks are carried out”: 33% - “Difficulties concentrating”: 29% **What’s More** Among individuals who were older than 60 at baseline, these six symptoms accounted for about half of one’s dementia risk.   **The Other Side** The study was based on observational data, so researchers were unable to infer causation. Furthermore, the depression measure was based on self-report and limited to 30 items, which might not fully capture the breadth and severity of depressive symptoms.   **Takeaway Message** “Our findings, if replicated, could help clinicians distinguish between middle-aged patients whose depression reflects an elevated dementia risk and those whose symptoms are more likely due to other causes, supporting clinical evaluation and more tailored treatments,” the researchers wrote.   **Related Information** “[Depression as a Risk Factor for Dementia: A Meta-Analysis](https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.20230043)”   **Source** Philipp Frank, et al. Specific midlife depressive symptoms and long-term dementia risk: a 23-year UK prospective cohort study. *Lancet Psychiatry*. Published December 15, 2025. doi: [doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(25)00331-1](https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(25)00331-1)   (Image: Getty Images/iStock/Prostock-Studio)   [depression](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/depression), [dementia](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/dementia), [middle age](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/middle-age), [symptoms](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/symptoms), [overconfidence](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/overconfidence), [nervous](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/nervous), [concentrating](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/concentrating) ## Related Posts [![](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/elderly_man_iStock-179210842-Jun-24-2025-06-27-28-7183-PM.jpg?height=200&name=elderly_man_iStock-179210842-Jun-24-2025-06-27-28-7183-PM.jpg) ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2017/05/depression-in-older-men-not-causally.html) ## [Depression in Older Men Not Causally Linked to Dementia, Study Suggests](https://alert.psychnews.org/2017/05/depression-in-older-men-not-causally.html) 5/9/17 12:00 AM [ Read more ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2017/05/depression-in-older-men-not-causally.html) [![](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_192698480-Jun-24-2025-05-09-31-2218-PM.jpg?height=200&name=shutterstock_192698480-Jun-24-2025-05-09-31-2218-PM.jpg) ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2015/02/treating-neuropsychiatric-symptoms.html) ## [Treating Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Could Delay Dementia, Study Suggests](https://alert.psychnews.org/2015/02/treating-neuropsychiatric-symptoms.html) 2/20/15 12:00 AM [ Read more ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2015/02/treating-neuropsychiatric-symptoms.html) [![](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/blue%20sweater%20old%20man_59788636-Jun-24-2025-04-32-57-8295-PM.jpg?height=200&name=blue%20sweater%20old%20man_59788636-Jun-24-2025-04-32-57-8295-PM.jpg) ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2013/05/late-life-depression-often-comorbid.html) ## [Late-Life Depression Often Comorbid With Dementia](https://alert.psychnews.org/2013/05/late-life-depression-often-comorbid.html) 5/1/13 12:00 AM [ Read more ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2013/05/late-life-depression-often-comorbid.html) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Psychiatric News Alert", "url" : "https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert" }, "dateModified" : "2025-12-17T13:55:25.954Z", "datePublished" : "2025-12-17T13:55:25.000Z", "headline" : "These Six Depression Symptoms May Increase Dementia Risk", "image" : [ "https://alert.psychnews.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/professional_man_iStock-1475625136.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://alert.psychnews.org/these-six-depression-symptoms-may-increase-dementia-risk", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://alert.psychnews.org/hubfs/PN-Blue-Box.jpg" } } } ```