Vascular and metabolic risk factors of late-life depression

Late-life depression (LLD) is a common complex mood disorder with high comorbidity of both psychiatric and physical diseases, cognitive decline, increased mortality. The mechanisms underlying LLD are incompletely understood. heterogeneity complicates research into the mechanisms, factors involved in may differ from those early-life depression. This narrative review provides an overview (micro-)vascular metabolic development LLD. Evidence suggests that cerebral small vessel disease, generalized microvascular dysfunction, risk factors, including diabetes inflammation, contribute to LLD, while role neurodegeneration needs further in-depth investigation. Accordingly, vascular provide promising targets for prevention improvement treatment Guidelines screen cardiovascular care need implementation, as do integrated approaches treat jointly. However, intervention studies needed assess which interventions appropriate most effective clinical practice.