A Study of L-DOPA for Depression and Slowing in Older Adults

Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>59 years * DSM 5 non-psychotic Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, or Depression Not Otherwise Specified * Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Rating Scale \> 9 * Decreased processing speed (defined as 0.5 SD below age-adjusted norms on the Digit Symbol Test) and decreased gait speed (defined as average walking speed over 15' course \< 1 m/s) * Willing and capable of providing informed consent and complying with study procedures * Prefer not to be treated with a standard treatment for MDD, Dysthymia, or Depression NOS (e.g., antidepressant medication or psychotherapy) Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence (excluding Tobacco Use Disorder) within the past 12 months * History of or current psychosis, psychotic disorder, mania, or bipolar disorder * Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia, or PD * Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) \< 25 * HRSD ≥ 25 or the presence of significant suicide risk * Current or recent (within the past 4 weeks) treatment with antidepressants, antipsychotics, dopaminergic agents, or mood stabilizers * History of allergy, hypersensitivity reaction, or severe intolerance to LDOPA * Acute, severe, or unstable medical or neurological illness * Mobility limiting osteoarthritis of any lower extremity joints, symptomatic lumbar spine disease, history of joint replacement surgery, or history of spine surgery * Hypotension (SBP\<90), hypertension (SBP \>150 or DBP \> 90…