RELATIONSHIP OF AGE, AGE AT ONSET, AND SEX TO DEPRESSION IN OLDER ADULTS

The authors investigated the relationships among factors of age, age a t onset, and sex in depressed older adults. A group of 96 outpatients (mean age, 60) diagnosed with late(LOD) and early-onset (EOD) major de pression were assessed for severity of depression and underwent magnet ic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI scans were rated for severity of w hite-matter hyperintensities (WMH) and ventricle-to-brain ratio (VBR). LOD was associated with increased amounts of WMH, larger VBR, and his tory of hypertension. Men were more severely depressed than women, wit h higher rates of neurovegetative signs and history of smoking. Age co rrelated with increased VBR and WMH, history of hypertension, history of precipitants for the current episode, and lack of social support. R esults suggest that a subgroup of melt may be more at risk for LOD ass ociated with WMH and that sex and age at onset need to be considered i n future studies.