Activity of energy, glutamate, and glutathione metabolism enzymes in blood cells of elderly patients with depression

Heterogeneity of depression in older adults is a challenge for the development of person-centered treatment. To address this, we studied glutamate and glutathione metabolism enzymes in blood cells in 53 older adult patients with depression and 20 controls. Patients with depression had decreased platelet glutathione-S-transferase and erythrocyte glutathione reductase. The biochemical and clinical data contributed to three clinical clusters that are not linked to the onset of depression or its duration but were related to anxiety, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular comorbidities, including parkinsonian features such as tremor, akathisia, and rigidity. These findings could aid person-centered diagnosis and outcomes and timely successful treatment(s) of depression in older adults.