Depression, strokes and dementia: new biological insights into an unfortunate pathway

Abstract

The literature emphasizes the risk of depression after a stroke. Less well known is the fact that depression may be as big a risk factor for strokes as hypertension, particularly in the older age group. This article reviews the risk for stroke and cognitive impairment consequent to depression, and describes the cardiovascular and immunological mechanisms that would appear to link depression to its cerebrovascular consequences. As well, the article refers to the brain imaging signatures that may allow prediction of impending brain injury. Finally, some questions that might be explored by future research are suggested, and some practical means to identify and help those at risk for the development of depression-associated vascular disease of the brain are suggested.

Figure 1

The pathway from depression to dementia and the mechanisms that play a role. Small Vessel disease (SVD) and stroke may or may not be the exclusive pathway from depression to dementia, as the upper line suggests.