Low confidence, poor coping skills in midlife may signal later dementia risk: Study

new delhi: certain depressive symptoms in midlife, such as loss of self-confidence and difficulty coping with problems, may predict an increased risk of developing dementia nearly two decades later, according to a new study.the research, published in the lancet psychiatry, identified six specific depressive symptoms that were strongly associated with dementia risk. these included inability to cope with problems, low self-confidence, persistent nervousness or tension, lack of warmth and affection towards others, and difficulty concentrating.researchers from university college london said the findings suggest that the link between depression and dementia lies not in depression as a whole, but in a distinct cluster of symptoms experienced during midlife.“our findings show that dementia risk is linked to a handful of depressive symptoms rather than depression overall,” said lead author philipp frank of ucl's division of psychiatry, adding that these common midlife experiences may offer early clues about long-term brain health.the study analysed data from 5,811 participants of the uk's whitehall ii study. depressive symptoms were assessed between 1997 and 1999, when participants were aged 45-69 and dementia-free. over a 25-year follow-up, about 10 per cent developed dementia.adults reporting five or more depressive symptoms had a 27 per cent higher dementia risk. however, among those under 60, the elevated risk was driven entirely by the six identified symptoms, with loss of confidence and poor coping each linked to about a 50 per cent higher risk.researchers said early identification of such symptoms could help target preventive interventions.