Individuals who are suffering from depression and diabetes may want to consider seeking out health resources to treat it, as the mental disorder could potentially lead to the development of dementia later in life.

According to a new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, adults who have both diabetes and major depression have more than double the risk of developing dementia later in life compared to individuals who only suffer from diabetes.

Both diabetes and depression increase one’s risk of developing dementia, and when an individual suffers from both diseases they double their risk of the disorder. Researchers pointed out that a history of depression more than doubles the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, while diabetes patients have a 40 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia.

“We wanted to determine the effects of both conditions – diabetes and major depression – occurring together,” Dr. Wayne Katon said. “Our analysis suggests that major depression more than doubles the risk of dementia in adults with diabetes.”