The neuropsychological testing of 23 elderly depressed patients was
compared to that of 23 healthy controls and 20 Alzheimer's disease (AD)
patients. Depressed subjects were deficient relative to controls on most
tasks, including naming and cued memory. There was a greater negative
influence of age on the performance of depressed subjects (relative to
controls) on some tasks. Despite their significant deficits, depressed
patients were clearly distinguishable from AD patients. It is suggested
that the combined effects of age and depression produce a pattern of
deficits that is distinct from that of younger depressives, but less severe
than that of Alzheimer's patients.Abstract Teaser