This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Pickett, P. Articles by Murray, G. B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Pickett, P. Articles by Murray, G. B. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Psychostimulant Treatment of Geriatric Depressive Disorders Secondary to Medical Illness

Psychiatric Consult Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Prakash Masand

Psychiatric Consult Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

George B. Murray

Psychiatric Consult Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

The records were reviewed for 129 medically ill geriatric inpatients treated with either dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate for secondary depression during a five year period at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Eighty-one percent of patients demonstrated at least some improvement following psychostimulant treatment. Sixty-six percent of these experienced marked to moderate amelioration of their depressive symptoms. Improvement was rapid and usually occurred within the first or second day of treatment. No significant difference in efficacy was noted between the two psychostimulants or across diagnostic categories for depression. Only 8% of patients experienced adverse reactions significant enough to warrant termination of the psychostimulant trial. No instances of anorexia due to psychostimulant treatment were observed. (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1990;3:146-151).

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, Vol. 3, No. 3, 146-151 (1990)
DOI: 10.1177/089198879000300304


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Jarvis Methylphenidate for Appetite Stimulation in Older Patients Nutr Clin Pract, April 1, 1998; 13(2): 66 - 69. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. J. Knesper The Depressions of Alzheimer's Disease: Sorting, Pharmacotherapy, and Clinical Advice J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, October 1, 1995; 8(1): S40 - S51. [Abstract] [PDF]