The complex relationship between depression and progression to incident cognitive impairment across race and ethnicity
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2-25-2022
Journal
Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association
DOI
10.1002/alz.12631
Keywords
Alzheimer's disease; cognitive impairment; depression; disparities; ethnicity; race
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We examined baseline differences in depression and antidepressant use among cognitively normal older adults in five ethnoracial groups and assessed whether depression predicted a faster progression to incident cognitive impairment across groups. METHODS: Data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (n = 8168) were used to examine differences between non-Hispanic Whites (nHW), African Americans (AA), Hispanics, Asians, and American Indian and Alaskan Natives in cross-sectional and longitudinal models. RESULTS: AA had a lower risk of depression compared to nHW at baseline. No statistical interactions were noted between ethnoracial groups and depression. However, depression independently predicted a faster progression to incident cognitive impairment. Hispanics and Asian participants had a higher hazard for progression compared to nHW. DISCUSSION: Previously established risk factors between depression and dementia were not found among AA and nHW participants. The relationship between depression and ethnoracial groups is complex and suggests differential effects on progression from cognitive normality to impairment.
APA Citation
Babulal, Ganesh M.; Zhu, Yiqi; Roe, Catherine M.; Hudson, Darrell L.; Williams, Monique M.; Murphy, Samantha A.; Doherty, Jason; Johnson, Ann M.; and Trani, Jean-Francois, "The complex relationship between depression and progression to incident cognitive impairment across race and ethnicity" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 289.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/289
Department
Clinical Research and Leadership