Treatment-Resistant Late-Life Depression

Major depression is common in older adults (≥ 60 years of age), termed late-life depression (LLD). Up to 30% of these patients will have treatment-resistant late-life depression (TRLLD), defined as depression that persists despite two adequate antidepressant trials. TRLLD is challenging for clinicians, given several etiological factors (eg, neurocognitive conditions, medical comorbidities, anxiety, and sleep disruption). Proper assessment and management is critical, as individuals with TRLLD often present in medical settings and suffer from cognitive decline and other marks of accelerated aging. This article serves as an evidence-based guide for medical practitioners who encounter TRLLD in their practice.