Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Depression in the elderly.

William M McDonald1, Carl Salzman, Alan F Schatzberg

  • 1Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.

Psychopharmacology Bulletin
|December 20, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Depression in older adults is common but treatable. Effective antidepressant therapies exist, requiring careful dosing and consideration of side effects for successful outcomes.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

IN MEMORIUM - Roger E. Meyer, MD.

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·2026
Same author

Low-Dose Buprenorphine Following Ketamine Treatment for Suicidal Ideation in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The American journal of psychiatry·2026
Same author

General Anesthesia and Discrete Components of Ketamine Neurophysiology.

JAMA psychiatry·2026
Same author

Personalized fMRI-Guided TMS Targeting the Threat Neurocircuitry in PTSD: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The American journal of psychiatry·2026
Same author

Continuing Questions About Esketamine 5 Years After Approval: Response to Ahmed et al.

The American journal of psychiatry·2026
Same author

Comment on Buse et al. Prevalence of Hypercortisolism in Difficult-to-Control Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2025;48:2012-2020.

Diabetes care·2026

Area of Science:

  • Geriatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Depression is a significant health concern in the elderly, linked to higher rates of illness and death.
  • Diagnosing depression in older adults can be challenging due to co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions.
  • It is crucial to rule out other potential causes like neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic diseases, or substance abuse.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy and tolerability of antidepressant treatments in elderly patients.
  • To highlight the importance of individualized dosing strategies and careful monitoring for adverse events.
  • To emphasize the goal of achieving and maintaining symptom remission for functional recovery.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on antidepressant efficacy and safety in geriatric populations.
  • Analysis of factors complicating diagnosis and treatment in the elderly.
  • Discussion of principles for selecting and managing antidepressant therapy.

Main Results:

  • Antidepressants effective in adults are generally effective in the elderly, with comparable response rates.
  • Elderly patients are more sensitive to side effects, increasing risks of falls or delirium.
  • Individualized treatment selection based on prior response, side effect profiles, and drug interactions is key.

Conclusions:

  • Depression is not an inevitable part of aging and can be successfully treated in older adults.
  • Antidepressant therapy requires careful dose titration, starting low and increasing slowly.
  • Treatment should prioritize safety, tolerability, and achieving functional remission tailored to the elderly patient's needs.

Related Experiment Videos