ABSTRACT
Depressive disorders are common and are among the most disabling medical illnesses (1-3). The
morbidity and mortality associated with major medical disorders are substantially increased when a
depressive disorder co-occurs (3-6). Dementias are another group of central nervous system
disorders that are devastating and disabling. Depression occurring in the presence of dementia leads
to increased disability, suffering, and mortality (7,8). In this chapter, general issues concerning
depressive disorders will be reviewed, followed by a discussion of the interactions and influences of
depression on dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT). The final section will deal with treatment
approaches.
