Geriatrics Commons^™

The Role Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Rtms) V. Electroconvulsive Therapy (Ect) In Geriatric Depression Treatment: Efficacy & Tolerability, Madeleine Sarro

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Capstone Presentations (Center City)

Background

• Geriatric depression, or depression in a population over the age of 60, is a highly debilitating mental health condition with a prevalence of 25% versus 10% in the general population.^{1, 2} Increasing prevalence is expected in the next 30 years with a rise in the population size for adults over 60 from 12% to 22%.³
• Limiting variables in the treatment of geriatric depression include polypharmacy, intolerable adverse effects, medical comorbidities, drug resistance and atypical symptom presentation.^2-7
• Due to uniformity in underlying pathophysiology, current treatment guidelines for geriatric depression are the same as for the general population. …