HOME >> MEDICINE >> NEWS
Maintenance treatment prevents recurrence in older adults with single-episode depressions

People age 70 and older who continued taking the antidepressant that helped them to initially recover from their first episode of depression were 60 percent less likely to experience a new episode of depression over a two-year study period than those who stopped taking the medication, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study addresses a major question in the treatment of depression when to discontinue medication.

Published today in the March 16, 2006 New England Journal of Medicine, the study showed that long-term treatment (for at least 2 years) after a patient is symptom-free is effective in preventing future depressive episodes.

"This study demonstrates the benefits of keeping older patients on an antidepressant long after they become symptom-free," said NIMH's director Thomas R. Insel, M.D.

The clinical trial tested whether maintenance therapy long-term treatment given to patients to enable them to maintain a symptom-free or disease-free state is effective in preventing future episodes of depression in patients 70 years and older. It also tested whether antidepressant medication and psychotherapy were effective, and whether the extent of patients' medical burden had an impact on rates of recurrence.

According to Charles F. Reynolds III, M.D., and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh, the study speaks directly to the controversy over the benefits and risks of administering long-term antidepressant treatment to elderly patients who have only one lifetime occurrence of major depression. To date, the consensus has been that older patients experiencing their first episode of depression should be treated to full remission and then have a limited period of continuation treatment for 6 to 12 months to ensure the stability of the remission and further improve recovery.

"Most geriatric psychiatrists
'"/>

Contact: NIMH Press Office
NIMHpress@nih.gov
301-443-4536
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
15-Mar-2006


Page: 1 2 3

Related medicine news :

1. Maintenance therapies offer lasting heart health benefits
2. Spot on treatment for acne
3. New treatment boosts muscle function in myasthenia gravis
4. New treatment effective in counteracting cocaine-induced symptoms
5. UCLA researchers awarded $9M contract for study identifiying antibiotic treatment for MRSA
6. Preventive treatments in elderly people needs rethinking
7. Osteoporosis screening and treatment may be cost-effective for selected older men
8. Quality of treatment guidelines
9. Green tea holds promise as new treatment for inflammatory skin diseases
10. Many heart attack patients still not getting emergency clot-busting treatment
11. Electric fields have potential as a cancer treatment

Post Your Comments:
(Date:5/25/2013)... Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 25, 2013 According ... Magazine titled “Hooked on a Feeling,” nearly 30 million Americans ... beach to tan despite knowing the health risks. ... relaxing, seductive and even addictive effect on the brains of ... data included in the article so I can’t say that ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... Dr. Leslie Gerstman announced today that ... on the neck, on the brow and under the chin ... Ultherapy is a non-surgical procedure for the face and neck ... the skin over time. The use of FDA-cleared ultrasound technology ... treat the deepest support layers of the skin – typically ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... May 25, 2013 A disorder of ... of peripheral neuropathy. According to neuropathy expert doctor Helen ... is estimated that the disorder affects almost 50% of ... arising from Diabetes. The high blood sugar levels in ... patients suffering from it usually tend to have abnormally ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... The report “Global Food Encapsulation Market ... Ingredients, Shell Materials, Packaging, & Geography: Trends & ... market with analysis and forecasting of the global ... driving and restraining factors for the global food ... challenges. The market is segmented and revenue are ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... 2013 Absolute Surgical Specialists, serving Sun City ... NALA’s businesses throughout the country participating in Shop Local for ... the nationwide event as he understands what military families go ... Army. He said, “I wanted to give something back, as ... I live here too.” , Shop Local for a Cause ...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:Sun Damage – Are UV Rays Addictive? 2Health News:Dr. Leslie Gerstman Is Now Offering the Non-surgical Facelifting Procedure – Ultherapy – in NYC and NJ 2Health News:Diabetic Neuropathy treatment hits new grounds- Neuracel launches the complete natural treatment 2Health News:Food Encapsulation Market to Reach $42 Billion by 2016 - New Report by MarketsandMarkets 2Health News:Food Encapsulation Market to Reach $42 Billion by 2016 - New Report by MarketsandMarkets 3Health News:Dr. Craig Amshel of Absolute Surgical Specialists Offering Bowel Prep During the Shop Local for a Cause Event 2
(Date:5/24/2013)... 2013  Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AUXL ... the Deutsche Bank Health Care Conference to be held ... Adrian Adams , Chief Executive Officer ... the Company and its product pipeline at 12:00 p.m. ... (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101202/MM10881LOGO ) The presentation will ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... , May 24, 2013 3SBio Inc. ... "Company"), a leading China -based ... marketing biopharmaceutical products, announced today that, at an ... Company,s shareholders voted in favor of the proposal ... and plan of merger dated February 8, 2013, ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 2013  Haemonetics Corporation (NYSE: HAE ) announced ... EVP-Business Development, will present at The Deutsche Bank 38 th ... MA on May 29, 2013 at 1:30pm Eastern ... The public may access Mr. Lindop,s presentation live via ... Haemonetics (NYSE: HAE ) is a ...
Breaking Medicine Technology:Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. To Present At The Deutsche Bank Health Care Conference 2Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. To Present At The Deutsche Bank Health Care Conference 3Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. To Present At The Deutsche Bank Health Care Conference 43SBio Inc. Announces Shareholders' Approval of the Amended Merger Agreement 23SBio Inc. Announces Shareholders' Approval of the Amended Merger Agreement 3
Cached News: