HARTFORD, Conn. -- Researchers at the University of Connecticut Center on Aging have uncovered causal links between depression and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, sparking hope for potential interventions to prevent the disease.

The Alzheimer's Association found that more than 7 million people in the country live with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

Dr. Breno Diniz, associate professor of psychiatry at UConn Health and the Center of Aging, found that the link between depression and Alzheimer's and related dementia is observed in the increase of inflammation of the brain and the lower efficiency to remove a toxic protein called amyloid-beta from the brain.

"We can try to develop more specific interventions to prevent Alzheimer's disease in this population instead of going broadly without a focus," Diniz said.