Elderly depressed females as a possible subgroup of patients responsive to methylphenidate.
The records of 13 medically ill geriatric patients whose depression interfered with their participation in a hospital rehabilitation program were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment with methylphenidate at dosages ranging from 2.5 mg/day to 20 mg/day produced mild to marked improvement in 54% of the patients; the fact that 6 of the 7 responders were female may be indicative of a more responsive subgroup. Methylphenidate treatment of illness-related, nonpsychotic depression in the elderly appears to be an effective, quick-acting, and relatively safe therapeutic option.
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
D008774:Methylphenidate