I wish to pursue an academic career as a clinician and researcher in geriatric psychiatry studying and teaching about the interface between depression (Depr.), cognition and dementia (Dem.) in the elderly. My experiences as a clinician, teacher, and researcher have increased my interest in pursuing these relationships in older adults. As a clinician on an inpatient mood and geropsychiatry unit, I have struggled with differential diagnosis in cognitively impaired elderly patients. As a research physician on a large epidemiologic study of dementia, I initiated a study of Depr. in demented and non-demented subjects, obtaining preliminary data confirming the hypothesis of an increase in subsequent Dem. among subjects with late-onset Depr (LOD). However, I felt that more definitive studies with accurate assessment of both Depr. and cognition would be needed. my participation in Duke's Clinical Research Center for depression in late life affords me a unique opportunity to more fully research my observations linking Depr. with Dem. in the elderly. To do so, I will need further training and experience in (1) the classification and differential diagnosis of LOD, (2) MRI analysis, (3) classification and measurement of APOE, (4) neuropsychological assessment, (5) research methods, and (6) longitudinal data collection, management and analysis. Methods: Training Experiences. I will receive close supervision and tutoring by local experts in each of these areas, as well as advice and input by recognized educators and investigators from outside institutions. So that I can attain the skills necessary to be an educator and mentor of others, I will continue to teach medical students, residents and fellows. I will get specific training in the examination of neuroimaging studies and in neuropsychological assessment. Finally, i will be taking classes in research methods and psychometrics that will help refine my skills in study design and data analysis. Research Project. Geriatric Depression: Apolipoprotein E and dementia risk. The major aims of this project will examine cognitive functioning. APOE genotype and MRI hippocampal size in depressed elderly subjects. The project is designed to test these aims and to establish a large data base which will form the basis for more longitudinal studies of depression, neuropsychological function, MRI changes and APOE genotype. Results: The training experiences will develop my skills as a clinical researcher and as a teacher in geriatric psychiatry. The research project will produce a data base to help achieve my training goals, yield data to answer some important questions about Depr. and APOE genotype, MRI changes, and cognitive status, give me experience in running longitudinal studies, and position me to continue research in this area as a PI. Thus, this award will help establish me as an independent investigator, giving me the experience necessary to become a resource for those interested in depressive and cognitive disorders of the elderly.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Academic/Teacher Award (ATA) (K07)
Project #
1K07MH001367-01A2
Application #
2032888
Study Section
Mental Disorders of Aging Review Committee (MDA)
Project Start
1997-04-05
Project End
2002-03-31
Budget Start
1997-04-05
Budget End
1998-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
071723621
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
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Bosworth, Hayden B; Voils, Corrine I; Potter, Guy G et al. (2008) The effects of antidepressant medication adherence as well as psychosocial and clinical factors on depression outcome among older adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 23:129-34
Greenberg, Daniel L; Payne, Martha E; MacFall, James R et al. (2006) Differences in brain volumes among males and female hormone-therapy users and nonusers. Psychiatry Res 147:127-34
Steffens, David C; Trost, William T; Payne, Martha E et al. (2003) Apolipoprotein E genotype and subcortical vascular lesions in older depressed patients and control subjects. Biol Psychiatry 54:674-81
Bosworth, Hayden B; Bartash, Rachel M; Olsen, Maren K et al. (2003) The association of psychosocial factors and depression with hypertension among older adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 18:1142-8
Levy, Robert M; Steffens, David C; McQuoid, Douglas R et al. (2003) MRI lesion severity and mortality in geriatric depression. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 11:678-82
Steffens, David C; McQuoid, Douglas R; Krishnan, K Ranga Rama (2003) Partial response as a predictor of outcome in geriatric depression. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 11:340-8
Brummett, Beverly H; Siegler, Ilene C; McQuoid, Douglas R et al. (2003) Associations among the NEO Personality Inventory, Revised and the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region in elders: effects of depression and gender. Psychiatr Genet 13:13-8
Steffens, David C; Bosworth, Hayden B; Provenzale, James M et al. (2002) Subcortical white matter lesions and functional impairment in geriatric depression. Depress Anxiety 15:23-8
Steffens, David C; McQuoid, Douglas R; Krishnan, K Ranga Rama (2002) The Duke Somatic Treatment Algorithm for Geriatric Depression (STAGED) approach. Psychopharmacol Bull 36:58-68

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