Neuroanatomical correlates of apathy in late-life depression and antidepressant treatment response.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Apathy is a prominent feature of geriatric depression that predicts poor clinical outcomes and hinders depression treatment. Yet little is known about the neurobiology and treatment of apathy in late-life depression. This study examined apathy prevalence in a clinical sample of depressed elderly, response of apathy to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment, and neuroanatomical correlates that distinguished responders from non-responders and healthy controls.

Methods

Participants included 45 non-demented, elderly with major depression and 43 elderly comparison individuals. After a 2-week single-blind placebo period, depressed participants received escitalopram 10mg daily for 12 weeks. The Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and 24-item Hamilton Depressio

SUBMITTER: Yuen GS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4096713 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature