Depression in Older Adults

Late-life depression (LLD) is relatively common in older adults. It is associated with deleterious health outcomes, exacerbates frailty and functional decline, and contributes to all-cause mortality. LLD tends to have a chronic course, with frequent recurrences and relapses. This chapter reviews the clinical presentation, assessment, and etiologies of LLD. The chapter also focuses on therapeutic targets of LLD, which include pharmacotherapy, neurostimulation, and psychosocial treatment. An antidepressant treatment algorithm based on a summary of current data, clinical evidence and expert opinion is included to help guide physicians. Additionally, psychotropic medications with novel mechanisms of action are discussed with some directions for further research.