Lancet study identifies 6 depressive symptoms linked to dementia
A new Lancet study has sparked a lot of conversation and concern around dementia, one of the most talked-about health issues today. According to the study, certain depressive symptoms that begin in midlife may increase the risk of developing dementia later on.
The researchers identified six specific symptoms: losing confidence, feeling unable to face problems, not experiencing warmth or affection, feeling nervous, persistent dissatisfaction, and difficulty concentrating. On their own, these feelings can seem very relatable — something many people experience during stressful phases of life. But the study suggests that when these symptoms linger or intensify during midlife, they could be more than just emotional ups and downs.
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That’s what makes the findings unsettling. Emotions we often brush aside as “normal stress” or “just a bad phase” may be quietly linked to long-term brain health. It doesn’t mean everyone who feels this way will develop dementia, but it does highlight the importance of paying attention to mental well-being early.
To understand what this really means and how worried we should be, we spoke to Dr. Aditya Gupta, Director – Neurosurgery & Cyberknife at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram. He explains what dementia actually is, how mental health and brain health are connected, and why recognising these signs early can make a meaningful difference in the long run.
When you say dementia can start decades earlier, what’s actually happening inside the brain during those “silent” years?
Dr. Aditya Gupta: Harmful changes happen over the years after someone has lost their ability to speak. During this time, proteins build up in their brains without any indication that something is wrong, such as beta-amyloid or tau proteins, as well as damage done to nerve connections. Chronic inflammation occurs, as does a decrease in blood flow to certain areas of the brain. The body's compensatory mechanisms hide the symptoms of brain problems for many years, until the damage to the brain becomes too severe to live with.
Which everyday habits damage brain health the most over time, even if they seem harmless in the short term?
Dr. Aditya Gupta: The brain is affected negatively by chronic poor sleep, prolonged stress, lack of physical activity, poor dietary habits (i.e., a high intake of processed foods and sugars), smoking, and excess alcohol. Being sedentary for long periods (especially in front of a computer) and being socially isolated will reduce cognitive stimulation. While many of these things may appear harmless when viewed separately, they combine over many years to cause an increase in inflammation, damage to the blood vessels, and eventually a loss of neurons in the brain.
Are there any lifestyle changes that matter more in midlife than in old age when it comes to preventing dementia?
Dr. Aditya Gupta: The brain's window of opportunity for being able to prevent permanent brain injury does not occur until around mid-life (45-55). Managing your blood pressure during this time, staying physically fit, managing and/or reducing stress, keeping your weight at an acceptable range, and keeping your mind socially and intellectually active are even more important than when you were younger. Making lifestyle changes during this decade can slow down the progression of any diseases that may result in permanent brain injury.
How do conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity in early adulthood affect dementia risk decades later?
Dr. Aditya Gupta: The combination of diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure has been shown through numerous studies to damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. Over the course of several decades, this leads to invisible strokes that cause damage to white matter, as well as to the brain's ability to absorb insulin, which can further increase the risk of developing dementia later in life.
For people with a family history of dementia, how early should they start thinking seriously about prevention?
Dr. Aditya Gupta: If you have a father or mother (or grandparents) who had dementia, make prevention a priority in your 30s and 40s. Your genes can increase your risk, but your lifestyle can determine whether you actually develop dementia. Establishing good cardiovascular health habits, stimulating your mind, getting enough sleep and controlling your stress levels early will likely help delay or decrease your chances of developing dementia even if you have a genetic predisposition.
If someone wants to protect their brain long before old age, what should they focus on first and what’s often overhyped?
Dr. Aditya Gupta: Prioritizing exercise, sleep, blood pressure and blood sugar control, eating a healthy diet, and having social support all significantly reduce the chances of developing dementia, based on research. Many so-called miracle brain supplements and brain games that can be purchased "on the go" are heavily marketed to improve brain function. They may provide a slight benefit to the user, but they will never replace the most important habits that influence brain health.
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