Do depression and anxiety lead to Alzheimer's?

Maintaining brain health with age is linked with a number of factors, including mental health. How can we maintain our mental health and what does that mean for our risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer's disease?

A key sign of Alzheimer's is the amount of toxic proteins collected in the brain. These proteins include beta-amyloid and tau. According to a recent study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, older people who show symptoms of anxiety and depression have more of these toxic proteins.

This research adds to the other studies that have pointed to anxiety and depression as factors that increase risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

Could this mean that treating these mental health conditions earlier might lower that risk? Talk to an expert to learn more.

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