Can Untreated Depression Lead to Dementia?
Depression and memory problems often go hand in hand, especially as people get older. Research shows that depression is considered the dominant cause of memory loss in older adults, but younger people with depression can also experience measurable memory impairment. The important question many people ask is whether untreated depression can actually lead to dementia.
The short answer is that depression itself does not directly cause dementia, but untreated depression may accelerate cognitive decline and contribute to dementia progression. A 2024 study that tracked participants over 16 years found that feelings of depression often came before memory issues. More importantly, severe depression symptoms were linked to greater and more rapid memory decline as the depression continued.
When depression causes memory problems, doctors sometimes use the term “pseudodementia” because the symptoms can look similar to dementia on the surface. However, the underlying cause is treatable depression, not the permanent brain changes seen in dementia. The key difference is that people with depression-related memory loss are usually aware of their memory problems and feel distressed by them. They may perform poorly on memory tests due to lack of effort or concentration rather than an actual inability to remember. When the depression is treated, memory typically improves.
What makes untreated depression particularly concerning is that depressive symptoms may actually hasten memory decline in older people. This suggests that untreated depression does not just cause temporary memory problems, but could accelerate longer-term cognitive changes. Research published in a 2025 study noted that untreated depression may even contribute to dementia progression, especially when combined with other health factors.
The good news is that cognitive function improves with treatment. Research published in World Psychiatry found that as depression symptoms decrease, cognitive performance tends to improve. This includes attention, processing speed, and memory. Antidepressant medications and therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy have been shown to promote the growth of new neurons and strengthen connections between existing ones, essentially helping your brain heal.
Depression and dementia also frequently occur together. Studies suggest that up to 40 percent of individuals with dementia experience significant depressive symptoms. This overlap makes it even more important to identify and treat depression early, before it potentially contributes to more serious cognitive decline.
The connection between untreated depression and cognitive problems extends beyond just memory. Hearing loss, depression, and social isolation are all linked to dementia risk. People who are deaf or have hearing loss are twice as likely to experience mental health problems compared to people without hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss can result in social isolation, which has been shown to increase the likelihood of developing dementia.
Early intervention is crucial. When depression is recognized and treated promptly, people often see significant improvement in memory function and overall cognitive performance. This is why it matters so much to seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing depression symptoms, rather than waiting and hoping the symptoms will go away on their own.
Sources
https://www.abhasa.in/articles/depression-and-memory-loss/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12740701/
https://www.thebrf.org/understanding-depression-in-dementia/
