A recent study found that approximately 25% of older adults experience depressive symptoms. Candidate genes that are known to influence depression and that have been commonly studied include those that effect serotonin, dopamine, or nueroplasticity. However, the majority of candidate gene studies have not considered the relationship of genetics, demographic, clinical, and behavioral markers and how they combine to trigger depressive symptoms among older adults. The aim of the study was to gain a deeper understanding of depressive symptoms among elderly people.
The results of the study indicated that by analyzing a biopsychosocial model of depressive symptoms, researchers were able to determine a comprehensive clinical picture of elderly people with a likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. Thus, interventions can be implemented to identify elderly people who are likely to experience depressive symptoms.