Overview
This research is being done to determine if computerized administered cognitive fitness activities will improve thinking and depression in older depressed adults who are being treated with antidepressants. The investigators are also interested in whether participating in the treatment will result in changes to brain activity measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Description
Major depression in the elderly is both challenging to treat and detrimental to the cognitive functioning of patients. Major depression increases the probability of a later dementia diagnosis. By targeting cognitive processes in treatment, the investigators hope to both find a more effective means to manage major depression in older adults, but also demonstrate how top-down processes (e.g., Executive Control Network) may be driving depression and cognitive decline in older adults.
The investigators are recruiting older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment. All subjects must have at least mild depressive symptoms to be eligible to participate. Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of two different interventions.
Results of this study will help the investigators understand the mechanisms that contribute to depressed mood and cognitive change in older adults with late life depression.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- ability to read and write in English
- current major or mild depression despite ongoing treatment
- under the care of a physician who prescribes medication for depression
- currently treated with an antidepressant for at least 8 weeks
Exclusion Criteria:
- psychosis
- other psychiatric disorders (except personality & generalized anxiety disorders)
- substance use disorders in the prior year
- clinical diagnosis of dementia
- neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, epilepsy, brain injury with loss of consciousness > 30 minutes, brain tumors, demyelinating diseases)
- corrected visual acuity < 20/70 or color blindness