Effects of open-label transdermal nicotine antidepressant augmentation on affective symptoms and executive function in late-life depression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Late-life depression (LLD) is characterized by a poor response to antidepressant medications and diminished cognitive performance, particularly in executive functioning. There is currently no accepted pharmacotherapy for LLD that effectively treats both mood and cognitive symptoms. This study investigated whether transdermal nicotine augmentation of standard antidepressant medications benefitted mood and cognitive symptoms in LLD.

Methods

Nonsmoking participants aged 60 years or older with unremitted LLD on stable SSRI or SNRI medications (N = 29) received transdermal nicotine patches up to a 21 mg daily dose over 12 weeks. Clinical measures assessed depression severity, secondary affective symptoms, and cognitive performance. Nicotine metabolite concentrations we

SUBMITTER: Andrews P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11373687 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature