Researchers in China recently examined the lives of more than 46,000 subjects to determine if untreated depression increases the risk of dementia. The study results found evidence that when depression is left untreated, the likelihood of developing dementia is greater. Both for people with low-level, chronic depression and depression that is increasing in severity over time, treating the depression reduced the risk of later dementia. Commenting on the article, the editor of the publication Biological Psychiatry stated that “ineffectively treated depression carries significant risk.”
Researchers separated people diagnosed with depression into four categories: increasing depression, decreasing depression, chronically low depression and chronically high depression. All but those with decreasing depression demonstrated an increased risk of developing dementia over their lifetime. One of the study leaders, Professor Wei Cheng of Fudan University in Shanghai, China, concluded that “timely treatment of depression is needed among those with late-life depression.”
Providing Treatment for Depression
A large number of studies indicate that neurofeedback is an effective therapy for depression. In agreement with this evidence, the Brain Health Clinic has assisted people with depression for more than ten years via neurofeedback. We offer neurofeedback separate from other modes of therapy for depression, or in conjunction with pharmaceutical and psychotherapeutic treatments. At our Sacramento clinic, or by means of remote neurofeedback training, we can help you reduce your future risk of dementia by taking effective action against depression today.
For more information about neurofeedback, contact us for a free consultation today!