New York, Feb 22 (IANS): Diabetes or psychiatric symptoms such as depression increases risk of dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a new research has found.

The findings suggest that lifestyle changes to improve diet and mood might help people with MCI to avoid dementia.

"There are strong links between mental and physical health, so keeping your body healthy can also help to keep your brain working properly," said lead author Claudia Cooper from University College London.

MCI is a state between normal ageing and dementia, where someone's mind is functioning less well than would be expected for their age.

It affects 19 percent of people aged 65 and over, and around 46 percent of people with MCI develop dementia within three years compared with three percent of the general population

The researchers analysed data from 62 separate studies, following a total of 15,950 people diagnosed with MCI.

Among people with MCI, those with diabetes were 65 percent more likely to progress to dementia and those with psychiatric symptoms were more than twice as likely to develop the condition, the findings showed.

The study was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.