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Achieving remission in geriatric depression is difficult. To examine possible moderators of response to augmentation of antidepressant treatment, researchers analyzed results from a clinical study (Lancet 2015; 386:2404) originally enrolling 468 patients with uncomplicated major depressive episodes who received venlafaxine and underwent neuropsychological testing (mean age, 66; initial mean Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] score, 23).
After 3 months, 181 patients who did not reach remission (MADRS score, ≤10; venlafaxine, 300 mg/day) were randomized to 3 months of augmentation with aripiprazole or placebo. According to the authors' definition, 44% of aripiprazole patients versus 29% of placebo patients remitted (median aripi…