The University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Psychopharmacology is seeking 20 adults age 75 and older who may be experiencing depression and are not currently on medication and want relief. Researchers are conducting a study they hope will lead to better understanding of the effects of the treatment of depression in older adults. The research will compare the effectiveness of the anti-depressant, citalopram hydrobromide, to a placebo in treating depression. The research will be the first to evaluate whether adults over 75 years old respond to typical anti-depression drug treatment.
Depression has a profound effect on daily function.
It can lead to physical and mental disability, increased number of days in bed, more visits to health providers and a decrease in enjoyment of life. It also is associated with increased mortality and suicide. The study also will evaluate whether other prescriptions for health conditions taken by study participants alter the effectiveness of the anti-depressant or cause depression. We want to know what is the best way of treating people in this age group, Dr. Burke said. We want to know if medications help and how much they help.