Research Now Highlights Depression Accelerates Brain Aging

(Newswire.net — January 18, 2023) Ste 177 Winnetka, IL, IL — Health authorities have long been warning against the alarming increase in the prevalence of mental health issues like depression. 

Research now highlights depression accelerates the aging of the brain. Psychologists at the University of Sussex have identified a link between depression and the acceleration of brain aging rate.

The findings of this research were published in the Psychological Medicine journal.

Scientists have previously reported that individuals with anxiety or depression have heightened odds of dementia in later life. However, this study is the first to offer comprehensive evidence for the impact of depression on the drop in overall cognitive function (also referred to as cognitive state), in a general population.

Scientists carried out a robust systematic review of 34 longitudinal studies, concentrating on the link between depression or anxiety as well as the decline in cognitive function over time.

The study involved combining and reviewing evidence from over 71,000 subjects. It included individuals with symptoms of depression and those diagnosed as clinically depressed. The study looked into the rate of decline of the overall cognitive state in older adults. 

Lead authors of the paper, Dr. Darya Gaysina, and Amber John from the EDGE (Environment, Development, Genetics, and Epigenetics in Psychology and Psychiatry) Lab at the University of Sussex, call for increased awareness of the relevance of mental health in protecting the brain health in later life.

“This study is of great importance — our populations are aging at a rapid rate and the number of people living with decreasing cognitive abilities and dementia is expected to grow substantially over the next thirty years,” said Dr. Gaysina, a Lecturer in Psychology and EDGE Lab Lead.

“Our findings should give the government even more reason to take mental health issues seriously and to ensure that health provisions are properly resourced. We need to protect the mental well-being of our older adults and to provide robust support services to those experiencing depression and anxiety in order to safeguard brain function in later life.” 

Health authorities have long been stressing the relevance of resorting to certain measures in battling depression. These include making certain dietary and lifestyle improvements, which are helpful in treating and preventing the condition. 

Some plant-based remedies like ashwagandha are also being studied today due to their antidepressant benefits. In some studies, it has been shown intake of ashwagandha lessened symptoms of mental health issues like depression in certain populations. 

Today, the healing goodness of this remedy is obtained widely through the use of superior-strength supplements like NutraHerbals Ashwagandha (amazon.com/organic-ashwagandha-root-powder/dp/B01GZALWGO).