From Anxiety, Depression to Major Neurocognitive Disorders: Exploring Their Association With the Risk Factors for Dementia

Dementia presents an escalating public health challenge worldwide. While traditional risk factors such as metabolic syndromes and lifestyle choices have been widely examined, growing evidence highlights the role of mental health conditions in the development of dementia. Our manuscript is a narrative review of peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses examining the association between common psychiatric disorders, namely depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and the onset of neurocognitive decline. Additional factors such as chronic stress, sleep disturbances, and exposure to traumatic life events are also considered. Proposed mechanisms include endocrine dysregulation, neuroinflammation, and altered immune responses. The review further explores how psychopharmacological interventions may influence cognitive outcomes later in life. These insights aim to enhance clinicians' ability to identify at-risk populations and inform preventive strategies.