Consideration of the relationship between depression and dementia

Abstract

Abstract The literature was reviewed with regard to the relationship between Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and depression. Then comparison was made of the case for depression as a precursor symptom of AD versus the case for depression as the initial symptom of AD. We also discussed such points as the coexistence of depression and AD, pseudodementia, etc. Finally, we postulated that the relationship between AD and depression shows a spectrum, and on that basis we attempted to define six clinical patterns.