Abstract
Depression has a high prevalence and a poor outcome in the aged. However, it is often under diagnosed and under treated although treatment with antidepressants at optimal dose and duration can be effective on full remission. Numerous antidepressants are effective but most of them produce side effects. The choice of antidepressants must take into account the effect of age on side-effects and pharmacokinetics. IRSS or moclobemide are recommended as first-choice antidepressants because of a presumed side effect better profile. A dimensional approach based on neurobiological hypothesis of depression, specific clinical features of late life depression (e.g. psychomotor retardation) and biological target of the antidepressants should promote treatment efficacy.
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
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Antidepressive Agents / pharmacokinetics
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Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
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Brain / drug effects
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Brain / physiopathology
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Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
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Depressive Disorder / physiopathology
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Depressive Disorder / psychology
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Drug Interactions
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Humans
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Metabolic Clearance Rate / physiology
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Moclobemide / adverse effects
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Moclobemide / pharmacokinetics
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Moclobemide / therapeutic use
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Receptors, Neurotransmitter / drug effects
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Receptors, Neurotransmitter / physiology
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Antidepressive Agents
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Receptors, Neurotransmitter
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Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
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Moclobemide