Older adults with a long history of elevated and increasing depressive symptoms have a high risk for dementia, according to a prospective cohort study involving nearly 2,500 individuals.

Participants—black and white community-dwelling adults who averaged 70 years of age—were part of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study. Investigators measured depressive symptom progression from baseline to year 5 using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Short Form, as well as dementia through year 11. Among the results:

• Consistent minimal depressive symptoms occurred in ~6 in 10.

• Moderate and increasing symptoms occurred in ~two-thirds. People in this group were not at higher risk compared with those with minimal symptoms.

• High and increasing symptoms occurred in ~6%. Individuals in this group were nearly twice as likely to develop dementia as those with minimal symptoms.

Citation: Kaup A, Byers A, Falvey C, et al. Trajectories of depressive symptoms in older adults and risk of dementia. [Published online ahead of print March 16, 2016]. JAMA Psychiatry. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0004.