Vinkers D J, van der Mast R C, Stek M L, Westendorp R G J, Gussekloo J
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Leiden.
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006 Oct 21;150(42):2307-11.
It has been suggested in the literature that atherosclerosis is a common causal pathway of cognitive impairment and late-onset depression, which may explain their co-occurrence in old age. In both the 'Leiden 85-plus Study' and the literature, strong evidence is found for a causal relationship between atherosclerosis and cognitive impairment, but there is less evidence for a causal relationship between atherosclerosis and late-onset depression. In the 'Leiden 85-plus Study', cognitive impairment was a risk factor for the development of late-onset depression, but depression in old age did not predict cognitive decline. This means that the prevention of atherosclerosis might prevent cognitive impairment and hence late-onset depression in old age.
文献中曾提出，动脉粥样硬化是认知障碍和晚发性抑郁症的常见因果途径，这可能解释了它们在老年人群中同时出现的现象。在“莱顿85岁及以上研究”和相关文献中，都发现了动脉粥样硬化与认知障碍之间存在因果关系的有力证据，但动脉粥样硬化与晚发性抑郁症之间存在因果关系的证据较少。在“莱顿85岁及以上研究”中，认知障碍是晚发性抑郁症发生的一个危险因素，但老年抑郁症并不能预测认知能力下降。这意味着预防动脉粥样硬化可能预防认知障碍，从而预防老年晚发性抑郁症。
