A New Way to Detect Emerging Alzheimer’s Disease?

In order to further explore the relationship between depression and Alzheimer's disease, the researchers sought to measure a link between the proteinopathies of Alzheimer's disease and clinical measures of depression. The population of interest in this study was a normal sample of older adults with typical cognitive ability — an age group that could be at risk for Alzheimer’s. In regards to the proteinopathies, the researchers used Positron Emission Tomography (PET) brain imaging in order to measure amyloid beta levels — a prominent protein found in the brain that is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. In order to assess depressive symptoms, a 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used. Several associations were found in this normal population — elevated levels of amyloid beta predicted increased rates of elevation in GDS scores and anxiety-concentration cluster scores over time.

The outcomes of the study have strong implications toward the respective fields of depression and Alzheimer’s disease research, unveiling a strong link between both disorders. Of critical importance is the finding that increased amyloid beta levels are linked with depreciating anxious-depressive symptoms in this normal population. This result poses that these anxious-depressive symptoms may potentially reflect emerging preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Whether an indirect or direct association, this is a staggering finding which illustrates a potential method of early detection of Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, the findings pave way for future research to continue focus on the links between depression and Alzheimer’s, and usher in collaboration between researchers to address those already dealing with Alzheimer's by using a multifaceted approach. With the advent of a potential method of early detection and newfound awareness of the link between depressive symptoms and the proteinopathies of Alzheimer’s, this fruitful area of research will play an important role in the vital goal of achieving the best possible outcomes for Alzheimer’s disease.