Potential linkages between Alzheimer's disease and major depression

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and major depression (MD) are frequent diseases with a significant impact on the quality of life, and epidemiological studies show a correlation between early depressive episodes and AD. Although apparently different, they nonetheless maintain significant similarities, such as the common genetic substrate, involvement of similar structures, and a number of common pathogenetic hypotheses. This in-depth literature review aims at highlighting possible linkages between the two diseases: A chronic inflammatory process that selectively alters the blood–brain barrier in certain regions can be hypothesized.