The Psychopharmacological Management of Depression in Older Adults

Treating late-life depression pharmacologically presents unique challenges due to age-related changes in drug absorption and metabolism, greater medical comorbidity, polypharmacy, and increased vulnerability to adverse effects. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of drug efficacy and safety profiles in older adults, with some newer antidepressant agents showing improved tolerability. Despite these advances, there remain substantial gaps in evidence regarding optimal drug selection, dosing strategies, and long-term outcomes specific to older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairment or concomitant physical illnesses.

This Research Topic aims to consolidate and advance knowledge on current and emerging pharmacological approaches to treating depression in older adults. It seeks to establish which medications offer the best balance of efficacy and safety; how comorbidities and concurrent medications influence antidepressant choice and effects and the mechanisms underlying drug response in the older population. This Research Topic aims to support clinicians and researchers in developing effective and personalized psychopharmacological strategies for managing late-life depression.

The scope of this Research Topic is centered on the pharmacotherapy of depression in individuals aged 65 and older, with an emphasis on both clinical and mechanistic perspectives. Papers should address diverse settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and long-term care environments. To gather further insights in this area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Comparative efficacy and safety of antidepressant classes in older adults
- Management of polypharmacy and drug-to-drug interactions in late-life depression
- Special considerations in pharmacological treatment for those with cognitive impairment or dementia
- Biomarkers and predictors of treatment response in late-life depression
- The impact of comorbid physical illnesses on pharmacotherapy for depression in late life
- Strategies for deprescribing and switching antidepressants for older patients
- Real-world evidence and case studies on medication management of late-life depression

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: late life depression, elderly population, pharmacological, antidepressants, comorbidity, drug efficacy, polypharmacy, safety, depression, pharmacotherapy, geriatric depression

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.