Depression may weaken the brain

In findings that highlight the importance of mood and stress to maintaining a healthy brain, researchers say that a bout of depression may raise the risks of developing dementia later in life, The Wall Street Journal reports.

People who have experienced a major depression even once in the previous 10 years in late middle age are twice as likely as those who haven't to develop problems in concentration, memory or problem-solving ability after the age of 65, according to several studies.