Depression and diabetes increase risk of dementia

People with 'mild cognitive impairment' were 65 per cent more likely to develop dementia if they had diabetes
People with 'mild cognitive impairment' were 65 per cent more likely to develop dementia if they had diabetes
JOHN STILLWELL/PA

People whose minds are slowing down are more likely to go on to full-blown dementia if they suffer from diabetes or depression, according to a new study.

Researchers found that people with “mild cognitive impairment”, meaning their mind functioned less well than would be expected for someone of their age, were 65 per cent more likely to develop dementia if they had diabetes. Those with psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, were more than twice as likely to develop the condition.

The study comes as David Cameron makes a series of pledges in the battle to defeat dementia, promising that all 1.3 million NHS staff will be trained to help people with the condition.

An international dementia institute will be set up in England within five