Cortical/Subcortical Circuits in Late-Life Depression

Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 60 years or greater * Diagnosis of major depressive disorder using standard diagnostic and statistical manual (DSM) criteria * Score of 15 or greater on the 17-item Hamilton Depression rating scale * Mini Mental Status Exam score of 24 or greater * No evidence of clinical dementia or any other clinical brain disorder * Free of psychotropic/psychoactive medications for at least 2 weeks Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of dementia or any other clinical brain disorder (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's) * History of progressive cognitive decline and/or Mini Mental Status Exam score of less than 24 * Lifetime diagnosis of substance abuse * Unstable medical illness (grade 4 on the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale) * Presence of any metallic implant that would preclude an MRI scan (pacemaker, etc.) * Concurrent Axis 1 disorder (schizophrenia, bipolar) * Psychotropic medication implicated in depression i.e. Reserpine, Alpha methyl dopa, Beta blockers, multiple long acting benzodiazepines (valium, flurazepam, chlordiazepoxide), neuroleptics; * Seizure disorder * Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack * Central nervous system disorder (Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis) * Trauma to head/Loss of Consciousness * Claustrophobia * Eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia) * Weight of over 350 pounds * Learning disorder (dyslexia, ADHD) * Psychosis, panic or anxiety disorder outside the context of depression * Mood stabilizing agents such as lithium and Divalproex sodium and an…