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National Institute of Mental Health Renews Support for the Center for Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research

The University of Pittsburgh?s Center for Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research has received nearly $9 million from the National Institute of Mental Health to further its work in depression prevention and treatment in later life. Under the direction of Charles F. Reynolds, III, MD, the federally funded Center of Excellence will conduct three new research studies in depression prevention among vulnerable older adults, in addition to continuing existing research. The first of three new depression prevention studies will look at the use of learning-based interventions to help seniors who receive supportive services and face a variety of psychosocial vulnerabilities that put them at risk for depression.  The second study will adapt problem-solving strategies for use by people living with mild cognitive impairment and for their caregivers as an intervention for preventing major depression.  The third study focuses on osteoarthritis pain and associated disability as risk factors for major depression.  Each of the studies will collect information about biomarkers, such as measures of inflammation, which may enhance the identification of older adults at high risk for depression and provide information about whether and how interventions may be protective against the onset of depression. Data from the three clinical trials will be pooled together to further develop models of personalized intervention.  For more information, please contact Kathy Slomka at slomkaka@upmc.edu.