[Elderly depression and depressive state with Alzheimer's disease].
Depression and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, are frequently observed in the elderly, and their diagnosis and treatment require complex knowledge of gerontology and psychiatry. Gerontologically, these diseases should be considered as geriatric syndrome. For the differentiation between depression and that associated with Alzheimer's disease, radiological examinations such as single photon emission CT and psychological examinations using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Vitality Index are useful. Against depressive state with Alzheimer's disease, in addition to donepezil hydrochloride, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) are effective, and a small dose of sulpiride is also expected to be effective. In the treatment of elderly depression, its stage should be classified as acute or chronic. Treatment in the acute stage is similar to that in other age groups. In the chronic stage, activation treatment focusing on the prevention of functional decreases is necessary. For both depression and dementia, care and support for daily life are indispensable.
Department of Psychiatry, National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine.
Hideyuki
H
Hattori
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans