Recipients

The World Health Organization (2004) estimates there are 24.2 million dementia and 207 million psychiatric patients worldwide. With aging populations, the prevalence of dementia is projected to increase and the consequent disability will place an additional burden on patients, caregivers and societies. If there is progress to be made in reducing the incidence of dementia, more knowledge is required regarding possible causes and risk factors. Dr. Xiangfei Meng is studying the comorbidity between dementia – specifically Alzheimer’s disease – and depression.

Dr. Meng will use a variety of research methods and perspectives to examine health data in an effort to determine if depression is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. She will also explore the potential for some classes of antidepressant medications to increase the risk of dementia. A third goal will be to determine if depression-dementia comorbidity increases mortality. At the same time, Dr. Meng and her research team will analyze trends in depression and dementia in Canada and explore common risk factors for the two diseases.

The project is intended to offer solid data to help explain connections between dementia and depression, providing biologically and clinically plausible mechanisms of action. It will clarify the impact of different classes of antidepressant medications on the incidence of dementia. It will also provide a timely and useful portrait of the current status and trends in depression and dementia among seniors in Canada.

< Back to Search Results