Current pharmacological approaches and perspectives in the treatment of geriatric mood disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This work aims to review the most recent developments in the treatment of mood disorders (major depression and bipolar disorder) in the elderly.

RECENT FINDINGS: In the last years, few new pharmacological interventions for mood disorders have been developed. Recent studies seek to provide alternative treatment strategies to achieve higher remission rates, including the association of antidepressants, mood stabilizers and psychotherapy and the treatment of specific clusters of symptoms, such as the adjunctive treatment of cognitive impairment with cholinesterase inhibitors. Also, recent studies have been assessing the potential of pharmacogenetic information in the prediction of treatment outcomes.

SUMMARY: These factors altogether are expected to help the development of personalized treatment strategies that may improve outcomes with fewer adverse effects.