Documented Chronic stress tied to greater risk of cognition impairment and Alzheimer's disease

Age is a significant risk factor for dementia. A recent study published in Alzheimer's Research & Therapy demonstrated Diagnosis of depression to be associated with an approximately threefold increased risk for later MCI and almost twofold increased risk for later AD. The risk increased further if the patients also experienced chronic stress, as indicated by a recorded diagnosis of SED. Chronic stress and depression may be independent risk factors for dementia, and together, they may have an additive effect on the risk for later dementia.

It is already known that Chronic stress and depression are potential risk factors for MCI and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. This cohort study included 1 362 548 people with records in the Region Stockholm administrative healthcare database (VAL).

Exposure was a recorded ICD-10 diagnosis of chronic stress, depression, or both, recorded in 2012 or 2013. Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, dementia, or MCI recorded from 2014 through 2022 was the outcome. Odds ratios with 99% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for age, sex, neighbourhood socioeconomic status, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders were calculated.

Key results of the study are:

• 4346 patients had chronic stress, 40101 had depression, and 1898 had both during exposure.
• The average age was 40 years at baseline in all groups.
• OR of Alzheimer's disease in patients with chronic stress, depression, and both were 2.45, 2.32 and 4.00, respectively.
• While OR of mild cognitive impairment was 1.87, 2.85 and 3.87 respectively.
• When other dementia was analyzed, the OR was significant only in patients with depression, 2.39.

They said we found that documented chronic stress increased the risk of mild cognitive impairment and AD; the same is seen with depression.

We highlighted the potential additive effect of chronic stress to depression on the risk of MCI and AD, said Johanna Wallensten.

Reference:

Wallensten, J., Ljunggren, G., Nager, A. et al. Stress, depression, and risk of dementia – a cohort study in the total population between 18 and 65 years old in Region Stockholm. Alz Res Therapy 15, 161 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-023-01308-4