FINDING AND TREATING DEPRESSION IN ALZHEIMERS PATIENTS - A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS ON PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS

Unrecognized and untreated depression occurs frequently in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, adding to the agony already experienced by pat ient and caregiver. The authors screened AD patients living with a fam ily caregiver for depression. Twelve patients with confirmed depressio n were treated in an open-label study with antidepressant medication, with dosage adjustment by a psychiatrist at Weeks 2, 4, 8, and 16. Dat a collection occurred at baseline, Week 4, and Week 16. Depression dec reased significantly (p<.01). Contrary to expectations, patient functi onal capacity declined (p=.045). Cognition remained unchanged (p>.05). Caregiver burden, caregiver depressive symptomatology, and quality of life of patient and caregiver remained unchanged (p>.05). The authors conclude that depression in AD can be detected if a collateral source , such as the caregiver, is available. The depression can and should b e treated. More research is needed to determine the impact on patient functioning, caregiver burden, caregiver depressive symptomatology, an d quality of life of patient and caregiver.