Hippocampal Atrophy Mediates the Impact of Amyloid‐β Deposition and Geriatric Depression on Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Cross‐Sectional Serial Mediation Analysis

The findings indicate that hippocampal atrophy serves a crucial mediating function in the relationship between Aβ deposition, geriatric depression, and cognitive impairment. The dissociation between Aβ and current depression indicates separate neurobiological mechanisms. The integration of psychological factors with neuropathological markers could enhance early detection and intervention strategies in Alzheimer's disease. Longitudinal studies are necessary to validate these pathways and inform the creation of personalized treatment strategies.