HomeLarge Type Edition
HOME ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Services
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 58:M249-M265 (2003)
© 2003 The Gerontological Society of America

Depression in Late Life: Review and Commentary

Dan G. Blazer

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Center for the Study of Aging, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

Depression is perhaps the most frequent cause of emotional suffering in later life and significantly decreases quality of life in older adults. In recent years, the literature on late-life depression has exploded. Many gaps in our understanding of the outcome of late-life depression have been filled. Intriguing findings have emerged regarding the etiology of late-onset depression. The number of studies documenting the evidence base for therapy has increased dramatically. Here, I first address case definition, and then I review the current community- and clinic-based epidemiological studies. Next I address the outcome of late-life depression, including morbidity and mortality studies. Then I present the extant evidence regarding the etiology of depression in late life from a biopsychosocial perspective. Finally, I present evidence for the current therapies prescribed for depressed elders, ranging from medications to group therapy.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
GerontologistHome page
E. Chachamovich, M. Fleck, K. Laidlaw, and M. Power
Impact of Major Depression and Subsyndromal Symptoms on Quality of Life and Attitudes Toward Aging in an International Sample of Older Adults
Gerontologist, October 1, 2008; 48(5): 593 - 602.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social ScienceHome page
A. L. Byers, B. R. Levy, H. G. Allore, M. L. Bruce, and S. V. Kasl
When Parents Matter to Their Adult Children: Filial Reliance Associated With Parents' Depressive Symptoms
J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., January 1, 2008; 63(1): P33 - P40.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social ScienceHome page
S. L. Christ, D. J. Lee, L. E. Fleming, W. G. LeBlanc, K. L. Arheart, K. Chung-Bridges, A. J. Caban, and K. E. McCollister
Employment and Occupation Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Older Americans: Does Working Past Age 65 Protect Against Depression?
J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., November 1, 2007; 62(6): S399 - S403.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social ScienceHome page
B. Eugenia Alvarado, M. Victoria Zunzunegui, F. Beland, M. Sicotte, and L. Tellechea
Social and Gender Inequalities in Depressive Symptoms Among Urban Older Adults of Latin America and the Caribbean
J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., July 1, 2007; 62(4): S226 - S236.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social ScienceHome page
S. E. Furner, K. Wallace, L. Arguelles, T. Miles, and J. Goldberg
Twin study of depressive symptoms among older african-american women.
J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., November 1, 2006; 61(6): P355 - P361.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GerontologistHome page
A. M. Gum, P. A. Arean, E. Hunkeler, L. Tang, W. Katon, P. Hitchcock, D. C. Steffens, J. Dickens, J. Unutzer, and for the IMPACT Investigators
Depression Treatment Preferences in Older Primary Care Patients
Gerontologist, February 1, 2006; 46(1): 14 - 22.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Gen PsychiatryHome page
M. A. Rapp, M. Schnaider-Beeri, H. T. Grossman, M. Sano, D. P. Perl, D. P. Purohit, J. M. Gorman, and V. Haroutunian
Increased Hippocampal Plaques and Tangles in Patients With Alzheimer Disease With a Lifetime History of Major Depression
Arch Gen Psychiatry, February 1, 2006; 63(2): 161 - 167.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JAMAHome page
J. M. Lyness
Treatment of Depressive Conditions in Later Life: Real-World Light for Dark (or Dim) Tunnels
JAMA, April 7, 2004; 291(13): 1626 - 1628.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
M.-M. G. Wilson and J. E. Morley
Invited Review: Aging and energy balance
J Appl Physiol, October 1, 2003; 95(4): 1728 - 1736.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]




HOME ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2003 by The Gerontological Society of America.