Journal

The Japanese journal of neuropsychology

[Vol.25 No.3 contents]
Japanese/English

Full Text of this Article
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ArticleTitle Coexistence and continuity of geriatric depression and dementia
Language J
AuthorList Noboru Yamaguchi
Affiliation Department of Neuropsychiatry, St. Marianna University School of Medicine
Publication Japanese Journal of Neuropsychology: 25 (3), 177-181, 2009
Received
Accepted
Abstract Biological (brain/physical) factors as well as psycho-social factors (stress such as pain of illness, economic problems and feeling isolated by separation) contribute to the onset of geriatric depression.
Cerebral vascular lesions and their risk factors contribute considerably to the onset of depression, and there are cases in which depression and dementia symptoms coexist and also cases in which they are regarded as a continuous spectrum.
For diagnostics, longitudinal follow-up becomes important, as well as cross-sectional observation at one point. Risk factors of cerebral vascular lesions (hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus) are associated with coexistence and progression of Alzheimer disease (AD), and curatives for them (statins or antihypertensives) can be expected to suppress the advance of AD symptoms and also to prevent the onset of AD.
Therefore, treatment and prevention of life-style related diseases, by correction of life-style habit, exercise and maintenance of a physical function, may be important in prevention and repression of the progress of symptoms not only for geriatric depression but also for dementia.
Keywords depression, dementia, coexistence, continuity, geriatrics

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