Diagnosis and treatment of depression and cognitive impairment in late life

Cognitive impairment in late-life depression is prevalent, disabling, and heterogeneous. Although mild cognitive impairment in depression does not usually progress to dementia, accurate assessment of cognition is vital to prognosis and treatment planning. For example, executive dysfunction often accompanies late-life depression, influences performance across cognitive domains, and is associated with poor antidepressant treatment outcomes. Here, we review how assessment can capture dysfunction across cognitive domains and discuss cognitive trajectories frequently observed in late-life depression in the context of the neurobiology of this disorder. We also review the efficacy of a sample of interventions tailored to specific cognitive profiles.