Score for predicting dementia risk also may predict depression, study finds

Scientists have developed a tool called the Brain Care Score (BCS) that can assess the risk of dementia, stroke, and depression without medical procedures. The BCS measures 12 health-related factors related to physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional components of health. A higher BCS is associated with a lower risk of depression in late life (age 60 or older), according to a new study. The study used data from over 350,000 participants and found that every five-point increase in BCS was linked to a 33% lower risk of late-life depression. The findings highlight the importance of lifelong brain care.