Mid and Late Life Depression Clinic

 New York State Psychiatric Institute
Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center
1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032
Co-Directors: Steven Roose, M.D., D.P. Devanand, M.D., Harold Sackeim, Ph.D.
 


Depression is not only one of the most common
Conditions as we age, it is also one of the most treatable.

Common symptoms of depression:

Feeling down or depressed Loss of interest in activities, and life
Friends or family noticing changes in mood Procrastination
Feeling tired and listless Trouble sleeping
Feeling hopeless about the future Forgetfulness


     The clinic offers free and confidential outpatient treatment in clinical research studies using medications for people over 45 from all walks of life who suffer from depression. Since these studies are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), private non-profit foundations or the pharmaceutical industry, there is no charge for evaluation, treatment or medication. The studies cover a wide range of mild to severe depressive disorders including major depression with and without melancholia, atypical depression, dysthymia (a mild, chronic type of depression), and depression with cognitive impairment.
     Eligibility for a treatment study is determined by an initial evaluation conducted by a psychiatrist and a social worker/research nurse. Each study involves a treatment program in a clinical research project that focuses on a different type of depression as determined at the time of evaluation. Once the treatment program is completed, patients may choose to continue their treatment at the center free of charge for a period of at least 3 months.
     During each study, a team of qualified psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and study coordinators meet frequently with patients to monitor their progress.

The purpose of these research projects is to learn more about the issues associated with depression as we age. Some research questions included are:

  • What is the best treatment for people who have mild depression?

  • What is the best treatment for people with recurrent, severe depression?

  • What is the best treatment for depression in people over the age of 75?

  • What is the best treatment for depression associated with memory and cognitive disorders, vascular disease in the brain, and other medical conditions?

The Mid and Late Life Depression Clinic is dedicated to the understanding and treatment of depressive disorders and its related conditions in people over 45 (older) in order to improve the quality of life and health care of this population.

To learn more about these free research treatment programs for depression, please call the clinic coordinator, Tobe Gerson, at (212) 543-5825.