Late-life depression as a possible predictor of dementia - Cross-sectionaland short-term follow-up results

The authors explored cognitive functioning of a group of elderly subjects w ith depression. The group as a whole, and, in particular, the late-onset gr oup (LOD), demonstrated cognitive impairment on the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS). Subgroup differences were significant at P = 0.004. This betw een-group difference was not seen when age and level of education were cont rolled. In the LOD group, 47.5% (vs. 31.5% of the early-onset group [P = 0. 025]), scored below the cutoff for dementia. Age-at-onset status in a logis tic regression model predicted MDRS category, and treatment of the depressi on had little effect on cognition. Results support the hypothesis that late -life depression, particularly LOD, is associated with cognitive impairment that may represent early AD.