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- Antipsychotic Medications May Ease Some Alzheimer’s Symptoms, Not Others
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June 23, 2008
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Science Update
Antipsychotic medications may lessen symptoms like hostility and aggression in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, but do not appear to lessen other symptoms or improve quality of life, according to a recent analysis of data from the NIMH-funded Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness Alzheimer’s Disease (CATIE-AD) study. The analysis was published online ahead of print June 2, 2008, in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
- Preventive Treatment May Help Head Off Depression Following a Stroke
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May 28, 2008
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Science Update
For the first time, researchers show that preventive treatment with an antidepressant medication or talk therapy can significantly reduce the risk or delay the start of depression following an acute stroke, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
- New Therapies Show Promise for Vascular Depression; Heart, Metabolic, Risks of Some Antipsychotic Medications Flagged
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May 7, 2008
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Science Update
Researchers see new treatments on the horizon for a type of depression related to blood vessels that affects the elderly, and have discovered why some elderly people fail to respond to current medications. In other studies, scientists urge caution regarding use of antipsychotics (usually for schizophrenia or other psychosis) in this and other populations to minimize metabolic, heart, and stroke risks.
- Paying More for Prescriptions May Limit Seniors’ Access to Antidepressants
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April 2, 2008
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Science Update
New cost-sharing policies may prevent some older adults diagnosed with depression from filling new antidepressant prescriptions.
- Primary Care Doctors May Overlook Elderly Patients’ Mental Health
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February 25, 2008
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Science Update
Doctors spend little time discussing mental health issues with their older patients and rarely refer them to a mental health specialist even if they show symptoms of severe depression.
- Team Care for Depressed Older Adults Cuts Overall Medical Costs
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February 14, 2008
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Science Update
A team approach to depression treatment for older adults, already shown to be effective, is also less expensive than usual care.
- Maintenance Treatment Prevents Recurrence in Older Adults with Single-Episode Depression
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March 16, 2006
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Press Release
People age 70 and older who continued taking the antidepressant that helped them to initially recover from their first episode of depression were 60 percent less likely to experience a new episode of depression over a two-year study period than those who stopped taking the medication, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health.
- “Care Managers” Help Depressed Elderly Reduce Suicidal Thoughts
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March 2, 2004
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Press Release
An intervention that includes staffing doctors' offices with depression care managers helps depressed elderly patients reduce suicidal thoughts, a study funded by NIMH has found. Martha Bruce, Ph.D., Cornell University, Charles Reynolds, III, M.D., University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues report on the outcome of the intervention in three major Eastern U.S. metropolitan areas.
- “Care Managers” Help Depressed Elderly Reduce Suicidal Thoughts
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March 2, 2004
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Press Release
An intervention that includes staffing doctors’ offices with depression care managers helps depressed elderly patients reduce suicidal thoughts, a study funded by NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has found.
- Study Boosts Confidence in Potential Screening Tool for Alzheimer's Disease
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April 22, 2003
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Press Release
A major study has confirmed the value of potential markers for identifying people with Alzheimer's disease.
