International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Areán, Patricia A.; Ayalon, Liat; Jin, Chengshi; McCulloch, Charles E.; Linkins, Karen; Chen, Hongtu; McDonnell‐Herr, Betsy; Levkoff, Sue; Estes, Carroll

doi: 10.1002/gps.2047pmid: 18613209

This paper, by Patricia A. Areán, Liat Ayalon, Chengshi Jin, Charles E. McCulloch, Karen Linkins, Hongtu Chen, Betsy McDonnell‐Herr, Sue Levkoff and Carroll Estes has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editors and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to this being the unrevised version of the article. The final accepted version of this manuscript can now be found with the following identification. DOI: 10.1002/gps.2100. The Editors of International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.;

doi: 10.1002/gps.1916pmid: N/A

In order to keep subscribers up‐to‐date with the latest developments in their field, John Wiley & Sons are providing a current awareness service in each issue of the journal. The bibliography contains newly published material in the field of geriatric psychiatry. Each bibliography is divided into 9 sections: 1 Reviews; 2 General; 3 Assessment; 4 Epidemiology; 5 Therapy; 6 Care; 7 Dementia; 8 Depression; 9 Psychology. Within each section, articles are listed in alphabetical order with respect to author. If, in the preceding period, no publications are located relevant to any one of these headings, that section will be omitted

Teper, Emma; O'Brien, John T.

doi: 10.1002/gps.2020pmid: 18449953

Objective This paper examines possible mechanisms that may explain the bi‐directional relationship between vascular disease and depression. Design A literature review was carried out using Medline from 1996 to 2007, using relevant key words including vascular depression, and supplemented by key references to earlier work. Results Several mechanisms were considered including: autonomic dysfunction, platelet activation, hypothalamic pituitary axis activation, endothelial dysfunction, cytokines, omega 3 fatty acids, genetics, homocysteine and effects of treatment. Conclusions The relationship between vascular disease and depression cannot solely be explained by current established risk factors or the effects of treatment for depression. Other mechanisms must apply, and there is some evidence for common genetic factors. Promising future lines of investigation include homocysteine, cytokines and endothelial dysfunction. More longitudinal studies combined with measurements of these biomarkers are needed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chen, Cheng‐Sheng; Yang, Mei‐Sang; Yang, Ming‐Jen; Chang, Shun‐Jen; Chueh, Ke‐Hsin; Su, Yi‐Ching; Yu, Ching‐Yun; Cheng, Tai‐Chun

doi: 10.1002/gps.2024pmid: 18442161

Objectives The aims of this study were to investigate prevalence of suicidal thoughts among a population of elderly aboriginal women in Taiwan over a 1‐month period and to examine the risk factors for suicidal thinking in terms of individual (self‐perceived health, disability and financial difficulty), family (marital discord) and social (medical accessibility) aspects. The mediating effects of depression on the above risk factors were also investigated. Furthermore, we examined the buffer effect on suicidal ideation of emotional social support for dealing with marital discord. Methods One thousand three hundred and forty‐seven elderly Taiwanese aboriginal women were enrolled. Suicide thoughts within the past month, demographic data, adverse life events, emotional social support and depressive state were assessed. The 1‐month prevalence of suicide thoughts was calculated. The risks of suicide thought based on individual, family and community aspects were estimated. Results The 1‐month prevalence of suicidal thoughts among the community‐dwelling aboriginal elderly women was 17.8%. Those subjects with poorer self‐perceived health, difficulty in accessing medical resources, or experiencing marital discord were at higher risk of having suicidal thoughts. After controlling for depression, the odds ratio of self‐perceived health and marital discord remained statistically significant. The odds ratio of interaction of marital discord and emotional social support was 0.41. Conclusion Suicidal thoughts are common among the community‐dwelling aboriginal elderly women in Taiwan. Risk factors for suicidal thoughts comprise individual (depression and physical condition), family (marital discord) and community (medical resources) aspects. Better emotional social support can effectively buffer the effect of marital discord. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fagundo, Ana B.; López, Samuel; Romero, Montse; Guarch, Joana; Marcos, Teodor; Salamero, Manel

doi: 10.1002/gps.2025pmid: 18416452

Objective The aims of the study are twofold: (1) to compare semantic fluency, clustering and switching performance among subjects with memory complaints, patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD), and healthy controls; and (2) to examine the clinical utility of the clustering/switching scoring system in the prediction of incident AD in subjects with memory complaints. Methods A semantic fluency task was used to compare thirty eight subjects with memory complaints, forty two AD patients and twenty five healthy controls on the total number of words generated, clustering and switching performance. Subjects with memory complaints were followed‐up for a maximum period of two years and re‐evaluated. They remained in the memory complaints group (twenty eight subjects) or were defined as probable AD (ten subjects). Results AD patients generated fewer correct words (p < 0.001) and showed a reduction in clustering (p = 0.008) and switching (p < 0.001). Subjects with memory complaints showed a significant reduction in correct words (p < 0.001) and clustering performance (p = 0.008) compare to controls. In the first evaluation, the subgroup of patients who converted to AD at follow up produced less correct words (p < 0.01) and smaller clusters (p = 0.007) than the subgroup who did not become demented. There were no differences in switching between these two subgroups. AD development was better predicted by cluster size than by the total number of words generated or by switching. Conclusions Subjects with memory complaints and AD patients have an alteration in both qualitative and quantitative aspects of semantic fluency. A clustering analysis could enhance the reliability of early AD diagnosis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Kat, Martin G.; Zuidema, Sytse U.; van der Ploeg, Tjeerd; Kalisvaart, Kees J.; van Gool, Willem A.; Eikelenboom, Piet; de Jonghe, Jos F. M.

doi: 10.1002/gps.2026pmid: 18425989

Objective To study psychiatric consultation referrals of nursing home patients with dementia and to compare referral reasons with normative data on prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Methods This is part of a cross‐sectional study of 787 patients residing in 14 nursing homes in the Netherlands. Nursing home physicians (NHP) noted the primary reasons for psychiatric consultation according to the Neuropsychiatric Inventory items and two extra domains. Patients were subsequently assessed by an old‐age psychiatrist. Eligible patients were those that had dementia. Reasons for referral were compared with independent data on prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in nursing home patients with dementia. Results A total of 325/787 (41.3%) patients had dementia. Agitation, disinhibition and aberrant motor behaviour were frequent reasons for referral (>25%). Psychotic symptoms, apathy and eating behaviour changes were infrequent reasons (<10%) for seeking consultation. Agitation and disinhibition were more often primary reasons for consultation than would have been expected based on normative prevalence estimates of these symptoms. In contrast, delusions, euphoria, apathy, irritability and eating behaviour changes were less often reasons for referral compared with prevalence estimates. Conclusions This study is the first to examine psychiatric consultation for dementia patients in Dutch nursing home. Large differences exist between referral reasons and normative data on symptom prevalence. Specialized mental health service was provided for the agitated and disinhibited patient in particular. Chances are that this is at the expense of the apathetic, retarded and quietly ‘not causing any trouble’ patient. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Seo, Eun Hyun; Lee, Dong Young; Choo, ll Han; Kim, Shin Gyeom; Kim, Ki Woong; Youn, Jong Choul; Jhoo, Jin Hyeong; Woo, Jong Inn

doi: 10.1002/gps.2027pmid: 18425990

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of demographic variables on Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) performance in an educationally diverse elderly population and to provide normative information. Methods SCWT was administered to 564 community‐dwelling volunteers aged 60–90 years with an educational history of from zero to 25 years of full‐time education. People with serious neurological, medical and psychiatric disorders (including dementia) were excluded. Results Age, education and gender were found to be significantly associated with performance on all three pages of the SCWT. Based on the results obtained, SCWT norms were stratified by age (four overlapping tables), education (three strata), and gender. Conclusions In the present study, normative information on SCWT was obtained from an educationally diverse elderly population. SCWT would appear to be more useful in poorly educated elderly, and could be used in future cross‐cultural comparisons of geriatric populations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Houde, Michèle; Bergman, Howard; Whitehead, Victor; Chertkow, Howard

doi: 10.1002/gps.2028pmid: 18651723

Objective To evaluate the prognostic utility of the presence, persistence, and patterns of depression in subjects with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Method Sixty amnestic MCI patients were assessed cognitively and for presence of depression using the 30 item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). They were followed annually for an average period of 4.3 years. Results Simple presence or absence of depression at referral did not predict progression of MCI to AD. Positive answers to specific GDS questions referring to “melancholic” affect as well as the persistence of depression over two to three years significantly predicted cognitive deterioration leading to AD. Conclusion The affective characteristics of depression at referral and the persistence of depression were better predictors of conversion to AD than the simple presence or absence of depression measured at referral time. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Boutin‐Foster, Carla

doi: 10.1002/gps.2029pmid: 18425993

Introduction The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) is a measure of depressive symptoms that is commonly used in clinical studies. Studies employing this measure often describe variations in aggregate scores. However, few studies have examined variations in response to specific items by race and ethnicity. Method This was a cross‐sectional analysis among adults who were ages 50 and older and who were hospitalized for the management of coronary artery disease. Differential item functioning analysis was used to determine whether there were racial and ethnic variations in response to the items on the CES‐D. Results Of the 571 participants, 76% were Caucasian, 12% were African‐American, and 8% were Latino‐American. After adjusting for age, gender, and education, four items exhibited differential item functioning. The odds of Latinos endorsing the item ‘I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me’ was 2.5 (95% CL 1.2–5.9); 2.7 (95% CL 1.4–5.1) for the item ‘My sleep was restless’; 2.0 (95% CL 1.0–5.0) for the item ‘I felt that I was just as good as other people’; and 2.3 (95% CL 1.3–4.5) for the item ‘I enjoyed life’. The last two items were scored in reverse therefore; higher scores reflect more depressive symptoms. African‐Americans were 3.0 times more likely to endorse the item ‘people were unfriendly’ (95% CL 1.4–6.5). Conclusions In this study, differences in somatic, positive affective and interpersonal symptoms were associated with the higher prevalence of depressive symptoms observed among racial and ethnic minorities when compared to Caucasians. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Lavretsky, Helen; Zheng, Ling; Weiner, Michael W.; Mungas, Dan; Reed, Bruce; Kramer, Joel H.; Jagust, William; Chui, Helena; Mack, Wendy J.

doi: 10.1002/gps.2030pmid: 18412291

Objectives We examined the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlates of depressed mood, apathy, anhedonia, and anergia in older adults with and without cognitive impairment or dementia. Methods This analysis included 270 community‐dwelling older adults (59% male; 79% Caucasian; mean age 74.4 years) who were recruited into a multi‐center longitudinal observational study of subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD).The distribution of cognitive status included: cognitively intact (38%), cognitively impaired (27%), or demented (35%). All subjects underwent MRI and 41% were classified as having subcortical lacunes. MRI measures included cortical gray and white matter volumes, lacunar volumes in subcortical white and gray matter structures, volume of white matter hyperintensities, and total hippocampal volume. Depressed mood, anhedonia, anergia, and apathy apparent at the time of assessment were assessed using a behavioral assessment Associations between neuropsychiatric symptoms and MRI variables were evaluated using logistic regression. Results Subjects with neuropsychiatric symptoms were more likely to be cognitively impaired or demented than those without neuropsychiatric symptoms. In multivariate models controlling for cognitive status, age, gender, and education, higher lacunar volume in white matter was independently associated with the presence of all four neuropsychiatric symptoms. Conclusions We report an association between the lacunar volumes in the white matter and depressed mood, anhedonia, apathy, and anergia, thus supporting the role of subcortical ischemic vascular disease in the pathogenesis of late‐life neuropsychiatric disorders. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.