Munro, Cynthia A., Longmire, Crystal Flynn, Drye, Lea T., Martin, Barbara K., Frangakis, Constantine E., Meinert, Curtis L., Mintzer, Jacobo E., Porsteinsson, Anton P., Rabins, Peter V., Rosenberg, Paul B., Schneider, Lon S., Weintraub, Daniel, Lyketsos, Constantine G.

Objectives: Although many depressed patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) are treated with antidepressants, the effect of such treatment on cognitive performance in these patients is not known. The authors report cognitive outcomes in patients with depression of AD (dAD) after a 24-week trial of sertraline or placebo.; Design: Placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial.; Setting: Outpatient memory […]

Gerritsen, Debby L, Smalbrugge, Martin, Teerenstra, Steven, Leontjevas, Ruslan, Adang, Eddy M., Vernooij-Dassen, Myrra J. F. J., Derksen, Els, Koopmans, Raymond T. C. M.

Background: The aim of this study is evaluating the (cost-) effectiveness of a multidisciplinary, evidence based care program to improve the management of depression in nursing home residents of somatic and dementia special care units. The care program is an evidence based standardization of the management of depression, including standardized use of measurement instruments and […]

Guétin, Stéphane, Portet, F., Picot, M. C., Pommié, C., Messaoudi, M., Djabelkir, L., Olsen, A. L., Cano, M. M., Lecourt, E., Touchon, J.

Background/aims: Numerous studies have indicated the value of music therapy in the management of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. A recent pilot study demonstrated the feasibility and usefulness of a new music therapy technique. The aim of this controlled, randomised study was to assess the effects of this new music therapy technique on anxiety and depression […]

Most, Els I. S., Scheltens, Philip, Van Someren, Eus J. W.

Background: Depression frequently occurs in the elderly and in patients suffering from dementia. Its cause is largely unknown, but several studies point to a possible contribution of circadian rhythm disturbances. Post-mortem studies on aging, dementia and depression show impaired functioning of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) which is thought to be involved in the increased prevalence […]

Leontjevas, Ruslan, Teerenstra, Steven, Smalbrugge, Martin, Vernooij-Dassen, Myrra J. F. J., Bohlmeijer, Ernst T., Gerritsen, Debby L, Koopmans, Raymond T. C. M.

Background: Apathy is common in nursing home (NH) residents and it overlaps with depression. This study examines the effects of a multidisciplinary depression program on apathy and depressive motivational and mood symptoms.; Methods: Secondary analyses of a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized controlled trial were conducted with six measurements. Sixteen dementia NH units and 17 somatic units were […]

Leontjevas, Ruslan, Gerritsen, Debby L, Smalbrugge, Martin, Teerenstra, Steven, Vernooij-Dassen, Myrra JFJ, Koopmans, Raymond TCM

Background: Depression in nursing-home residents is often under-recognised. We aimed to establish the effectiveness of a structural approach to its management.; Methods: Between May 15, 2009, and April 30, 2011, we undertook a multicentre, stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial in four provinces of the Netherlands. A network of nursing homes was invited to enrol one dementia and […]

Chu, H., Yang, C.-Y., Lin, Y., Ou, K.-L., Lee, T.-Y., O'Brien, A. P., Chou, K.-R.

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of group music therapy for improving depression and delaying the deterioration of cognitive functions in elderly persons with dementia.; Method: The study had a prospective, parallel-group design with permuted-block randomization. Older persons with dementia (N = 104) were randomly assigned to the experimental or […]

Aman, Edris, Thomas, David R.

Background: Several studies have shown an improvement in depression, activities of daily living, and agitation in cognitively impaired subjects who undergo a long-term exercise program. These studies have not considered the short-term effects of exercise.; Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of a limited, supervised exercise program on agitation, […]