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A multiplicity of approaches to characterize geriatric depression and its outcomes.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Steffens, DC
Published in: Curr Opin Psychiatry
November 2009

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Research in geriatric depression has always had a multidisciplinary bent, particularly in methods used to characterize depression. Understanding diagnosis, psychiatric comorbidities, and course continues to be a goal of clinical researchers. Those interested in cognitive neuroscience and basic neuroscience have more recently trained their sights on late-life depression. This review identifies recent progress in the characterization of geriatric depression using a variety of methodologies. RECENT FINDINGS: Depression in the elderly remains underdetected and underdiagnosed, particularly in nonmental health settings. Studies of the impact of psychiatric comorbidities and of the negative outcomes of depression in older adults demonstrate that geriatric depression is a serious medical condition that not only affects mood but can also lead to functional and cognitive decline. Advances in neuroimaging technology have demonstrated structural and functional changes in the brains of older depressed patients. With the advent of brain banks in neuropsychiatry, we are now seeing postmortem neuroanatomical studies that seek to extend findings from clinical practice and from neuroimaging research. SUMMARY: Clinicians should become more aware of advances in detection of depression, the effect of psychiatric comorbidities, the poor mood and cognitive outcomes associated with late-life depression and should keep abreast of recent neuroimaging and neuroanatomical findings.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Curr Opin Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1473-6578

Publication Date

November 2009

Volume

22

Issue

6

Start / End Page

522 / 526

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Humans
  • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Cognition Disorders
  • Brain
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aged
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
 

Citation

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Steffens, D. C. (2009). A multiplicity of approaches to characterize geriatric depression and its outcomes. Curr Opin Psychiatry, 22(6), 522–526. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0b013e32832fcd93
Steffens, David C. “A multiplicity of approaches to characterize geriatric depression and its outcomes.Curr Opin Psychiatry 22, no. 6 (November 2009): 522–26. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0b013e32832fcd93.
Steffens DC. A multiplicity of approaches to characterize geriatric depression and its outcomes. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2009 Nov;22(6):522–6.
Steffens, David C. “A multiplicity of approaches to characterize geriatric depression and its outcomes.Curr Opin Psychiatry, vol. 22, no. 6, Nov. 2009, pp. 522–26. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/YCO.0b013e32832fcd93.
Steffens DC. A multiplicity of approaches to characterize geriatric depression and its outcomes. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2009 Nov;22(6):522–526.

Published In

Curr Opin Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1473-6578

Publication Date

November 2009

Volume

22

Issue

6

Start / End Page

522 / 526

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Humans
  • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Cognition Disorders
  • Brain
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aged
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology