BACKGROUND: In previous studies, dementia was linked to a family history of dementia and Down's syndrome. This study tested the hypothesis that late-life depression accompanied by cognitive impairment in elderly individuals with no history of psychiatric illness is also associated with these family histories. METHOD: We investigated an age-stratified sample of 4051 elderly people in the community aged 65-84 (AMSTEL). The relationship between family history (CAMDEX questionnaire) and depression (GMS-AGECAT diagnosis) was studied. RESULTS: A family history of mental health problems was associated with all subtypes of depression. Family history of dementia was associated with depression in subjects with a psychiatric history, but a family history of Down's syndrome was only associated with the combination of depression and cognitive impairment in subjects with no history of psychiatric illness. CONCLUSIONS: The heritability pattern confirms the concept of a dementia-related subtype of late-life depression.
BACKGROUND: In previous studies, dementia was linked to a family history of dementia and Down's syndrome. This study tested the hypothesis that late-life depression accompanied by cognitive impairment in elderly individuals with no history of psychiatric illness is also associated with these family histories. METHOD: We investigated an age-stratified sample of 4051 elderly people in the community aged 65-84 (AMSTEL). The relationship between family history (CAMDEX questionnaire) and depression (GMS-AGECAT diagnosis) was studied. RESULTS: A family history of mental health problems was associated with all subtypes of depression. Family history of dementia was associated with depression in subjects with a psychiatric history, but a family history of Down's syndrome was only associated with the combination of depression and cognitive impairment in subjects with no history of psychiatric illness. CONCLUSIONS: The heritability pattern confirms the concept of a dementia-related subtype of late-life depression.
Authors: S Suttajit; S Punpuing; T Jirapramukpitak; K Tangchonlatip; N Darawuttimaprakorn; R Stewart; M E Dewey; M Prince; M A Abas Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2010-01-08 Impact factor: 7.723