Study suggests combination drug therapy to treat depression in the elderly

FINDINGS This new study by researchers at UCLA found that the combination of Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Celexa (citalopram) can accelerate and improve the overall antidepressant effects of the medications in the elderly. Most patients who responded to the combination achieved remission in the first month. The researchers had also hoped to find that the combination would work more quickly and be tolerated better by this elderly population than either drug alone. They found that the combination was working faster, but the side effects and cognitive benefits did not differ between the groups. IMPACT Geriatric depression is a risk factor for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease later in life. The study offers a new approach for treating depression in older adults who tend to linger with low mood, poor interest, low motivation, and a wish to die for months or years, and get them out of depression much faster than the standard antidepressants. METHOD The authors conducted a 16-week randomized trial for geriatric depression in 143 older outpatients diagnosed with major depression. They compared treatment response in three treatment groups: methylphenidate plus placebo (48 people), citalopram plus placebo (48 people), and citalopram plus methylphenidate (47 people). The primary outcome measure was change in depression severity. Secondary outcomes included measures of anxiety, apathy, quality of life and cognition. BACKGROUND Geriatric depression is very difficult to treat ...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news