Why do discussions about ‘brain health’ ignore mental illness?
Governments and industries are investing in neuroscience to reduce brain diseases, but mental illness is being sidelined as a secondary concern. Chronic depression and other untreated mental illnesses are significant drivers of cognitive decline and late-life neurodegeneration.
Governments, industry, and philanthropies are investing in neuroscience to reduce brain diseases. However, mental illness is being ignored as a primary component of brain health. Over 55 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Chronic depression, substance use disorders, and other untreated mental illnesses drive cognitive decline and late-life neurodegeneration. Psychiatric symptoms often precede memory or motoric loss and are associated with faster cognitive decline. Early-life psychiatric illness is a significant risk factor for later-life neurodegenerative disorders. Depression is associated with a comparable risk for dementia as cardiovascular health.
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