Depression and Alzheimer's disease: is stress the initiating factor in a common neuropathological cascade?
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Depression and Alzheimer's disease: is stress the initiating factor in a common neuropathological cascade? / Aznar, Susana; Knudsen, Gitte M.
In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2011, p. 177-93.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Depression and Alzheimer's disease: is stress the initiating factor in a common neuropathological cascade?
AU - Aznar, Susana
AU - Knudsen, Gitte M
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - The existence of a high co-morbidity between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and depression has been known for a long time. More interesting though are recent studies indicating that depression and number of depressive episodes earlier in life is associated with increased risk of AD development. This suggests the existence of common neuropathological mechanisms behind depression and AD. Here we propose that the brain changes associated with depressive episodes that compromise the brain's ability to cope with stress may constitute risk factors for development of AD. Furthermore, in individuals with a genetic linkage to depression, there may be an increased vulnerability towards the initiation of a detrimental neurodegenerative cascade. The following review will deal with the various observations reported within the different neurobiological systems known to be involved and affected in depression, like serotonergic and cholinergic system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain derived neurotrophic factor, and discussed in relation to AD.
AB - The existence of a high co-morbidity between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and depression has been known for a long time. More interesting though are recent studies indicating that depression and number of depressive episodes earlier in life is associated with increased risk of AD development. This suggests the existence of common neuropathological mechanisms behind depression and AD. Here we propose that the brain changes associated with depressive episodes that compromise the brain's ability to cope with stress may constitute risk factors for development of AD. Furthermore, in individuals with a genetic linkage to depression, there may be an increased vulnerability towards the initiation of a detrimental neurodegenerative cascade. The following review will deal with the various observations reported within the different neurobiological systems known to be involved and affected in depression, like serotonergic and cholinergic system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain derived neurotrophic factor, and discussed in relation to AD.
U2 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2010-100390
DO - http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2010-100390
M3 - Journal article
VL - 23
SP - 177
EP - 193
JO - Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
JF - Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
SN - 1387-2877
IS - 2
ER -
ID: 40216060