Brain with glowing blood vessels symbolizing mental health and stroke recovery.

Is There a Link Between Depression and Strokes? What the Research Says

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research suggests a connection between strokes and depression, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment. Learn more about this important link."

Stroke is a major health concern, ranking as a leading cause of long-term disability. Recovering from a stroke involves not only physical rehabilitation but also mental and emotional adjustments. Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a frequent complication, affecting about a third of stroke survivors. Recognizing and addressing PSD is essential for improving the overall quality of life and recovery outcomes for those affected by stroke.

There's growing interest in understanding why depression occurs after a stroke. Research is now exploring the role of adiponectin (APN), a hormone that affects insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and the health of blood vessels. Prior studies suggest a link between lower levels of APN and depression in general, raising the question of whether APN levels might also predict PSD.

A study published in the 'Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases' investigated whether APN levels in the blood could predict the development of PSD in patients who had experienced an acute ischemic stroke. The study aimed to determine if early APN measurements could help identify individuals at higher risk of developing depression following a stroke.

How Does Adiponectin Affect Stroke Recovery and Mental Health?

Brain with glowing blood vessels symbolizing mental health and stroke recovery.

The study enrolled 255 patients who were hospitalized for a first-time ischemic stroke within 24 hours of symptom onset. Researchers measured the levels of APN in their blood upon admission and conducted psychological evaluations three months later to diagnose PSD, using a structured clinical interview. The study then analyzed the relationship between APN levels and the occurrence of PSD.

The results indicated that patients who developed PSD had significantly lower APN levels at the time of admission compared to those who did not experience depression. Further analysis revealed that patients with the lowest APN levels were more likely to develop PSD, even after considering other factors such as age, stroke severity, and other health conditions.

Lower APN levels were associated with a higher likelihood of PSD.
Patients with the lowest APN levels at admission were more prone to developing depression post-stroke.
The link between APN and PSD remained significant even after adjusting for other potential influencing factors.

These findings suggest that APN could serve as a biomarker to identify individuals at risk for PSD, potentially leading to earlier interventions and improved outcomes. It is believed that APN's anti-inflammatory and protective effects on blood vessels may play a role in preventing the onset of depression after a stroke.

Looking Ahead: Integrating Mental and Physical Stroke Recovery

The research highlights the need to integrate mental health care into stroke recovery programs. Monitoring APN levels in stroke patients could help identify those at higher risk of developing depression, enabling timely interventions such as therapy or medication. Addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery can significantly improve the quality of life for stroke survivors, promoting a more holistic approach to healthcare.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.09.057, Alternate LINK

Title: Reduced Serum Adiponectin Level And Risk Of Poststroke Depression In Patients With Ischemic Stroke

Subject: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Journal: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Junhua Yang, Guanghui Du, Jinyu Wang, Jia Chen, Chenghui Yang, Jia Li, Yun Zhang

Published: 2019-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Post-stroke depression (PSD), and why is it important?

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication that affects around one-third of stroke survivors. PSD involves mental and emotional adjustments after a stroke. It is critical to address PSD to improve the overall quality of life and recovery outcomes for those affected by a stroke. PSD is significant because it can hinder a stroke survivor's recovery and affect their ability to participate in rehabilitation and other activities.

How does Adiponectin (APN) relate to stroke recovery?

The hormone adiponectin (APN) affects insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and the health of blood vessels. Research suggests a link between lower levels of APN and depression. In the context of stroke, APN levels were measured in patients. The findings indicated that patients who developed PSD had significantly lower APN levels at the time of admission compared to those who did not experience depression. This study suggests that APN could serve as a biomarker to identify individuals at risk for PSD.

How was the study conducted on Adiponectin (APN) and Post-stroke depression (PSD)?

The study enrolled 255 patients who were hospitalized for a first-time ischemic stroke within 24 hours of symptom onset. Researchers measured the levels of Adiponectin (APN) in their blood upon admission and conducted psychological evaluations three months later to diagnose Post-stroke depression (PSD), using a structured clinical interview. The study then analyzed the relationship between APN levels and the occurrence of PSD.

Why is the connection between strokes and depression important?

The connection between strokes and depression is significant because it highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of Post-stroke depression (PSD). The study found that patients with the lowest Adiponectin (APN) levels at admission were more prone to developing depression post-stroke. Monitoring mental health is as crucial as physical rehabilitation. Addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery can significantly improve the quality of life for stroke survivors, promoting a more holistic approach to healthcare.

What is the significance of integrating mental health care into stroke recovery programs?

Integrating mental health care into stroke recovery programs is essential. Monitoring Adiponectin (APN) levels in stroke patients could help identify those at higher risk of developing Post-stroke depression (PSD). Early interventions such as therapy or medication can be provided. Addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery can significantly improve the quality of life for stroke survivors.