Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health
Better Management of Cholesterol in Senior Citizens
May Help Fight Depression
Study of elderly men and women find unexpected
links between depression and LDL, HDL levels
July 21, 2010 - Older women with depression tend to
have low levels of the good cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL).
On the other hand, according to this new study, senior men at greater
risk of depression had low levels of the "bad" form of cholesterol, low
density lipoprotein (LDL). The researchers say that properly regulating
the levels of HDL and LDL may help to prevent depression in senior
citizens.
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Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health |
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Most senior citizens know that high cholesterol
levels place them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. And,
prior research has shown that particular types of strokes contribute to
one's risk for depression, and that abnormal blood lipid levels can
increase the risk of depression in the elderly.
However, the new findings in this study by French
researchers, published in Biological Psychiatry, suggest the link
between increased cholesterol and depression may be complicated. They
evaluated a large population of elderly men and women (aged 65 and over)
over a seven year follow-up period, assessing them for symptoms of
depression and measuring their lipid levels.
The finding that elderly women in depression have
low levels of HDL, they say, puts them at higher risk for vascular
disease, including stroke, by increasing their risk for developing
lesions in their blood vessels called atherosclerotic plaques.
Not only does the study find elderly men at the
greatest risk of depression have low LDL, they say this was especially
true for those men with a genetic vulnerability to depression related to
a serotonin transporter gene.
This finding in men raises important
considerations. Although this pattern of low LDL levels seemingly
protects them from developing cardiovascular diseases or strokes, this
study suggests that it increases their mental health risk at the same
time.
"Our results suggest that clinical management of
abnormal lipid levels may reduce depression in the elderly, but
different treatment will be required according to sex. LDL-C serum level
seems to be an important biological marker in men, with a narrow range
for normal functioning. Above this range, cardio- or cerebro-vascular
risk increases and below it, there is increased risk of depression,"
said Dr. Marie-Laure Ancelin, corresponding author for this study.
The authors not only suggest cholesterol
management as a way to prevent depression in senior citizens, they say
careful management of LDL levels in men seems to be especially
warranted.
Dr. John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry,
agreed, noting that "these new data provide yet another important reason
that doctors and patients should monitor and regulate cholesterol levels
carefully, through a combination of diet and medication."
The article about the study is "Gender and Genotype
Modulation of the Association Between Lipid Levels and Depressive
Symptomatology in Community-Dwelling Elderly (The ESPRIT Study)" by
Marie-Laure Ancelin and others appears in
Biological Psychiatry, Volume 68, Issue 2 (July 15, 2010), published
by Elsevier.
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About Depression and Senior Citizens
 Of
the 35 million Americans age 65 and older, about 2 million
suffer from full-blown depression. Another 5 million suffer from
less severe forms of the illness.
Everyone feels blue or sad
now and then, but these feelings don't usually last long and
pass within a couple of days. When a person has depression, it
interferes with daily life and normal functioning, and causes
pain for both the person with depression and those who care
about him or her. Doctors call this condition "depressive
disorder," or "clinical depression."
Important life changes that
happen as we get older may cause feelings of uneasiness, stress,
and sadness. For instance, the death of a loved one, moving from
work into retirement, or dealing with a serious illness can
leave people feeling sad or anxious. After a period of
adjustment, many older adults can regain their emotional
balance, but others do not and may develop depression.
Depression is a common
problem among older adults, but it is NOT a normal part of
aging. In fact, studies show that most older adults feel
satisfied with their lives, despite having more physical
ailments. However, when older adults do suffer from depression,
it may be overlooked because they may be less willing to talk
about feelings of sadness or grief, and doctors may be less
likely to suspect or spot it.
If left untreated,
depression can lead to suicide.
>>
Read more from the National Institutes of Health
Website for Seniors |
