PROSPECTUS

The Relationship between Depression and Cognitive Deterioration in Older Individuals

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.



DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________



TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM1

Aging2

Depression and Cognitive Deterioration3

RESEARCH PURPOSE4

Diagnosis of Depression4

Depressive Symptomatology in Elderly5

Similarities between Older and Younger Depressives5

Mental Factors of Aging6

Effortful-processing Deficit9

Sample Characteristics10

Definitions of Theoretical Constructs11

The Theory Of Mind11

REASEARCH POPULATION13

Informed Consent14

Confidentiality14

RESEARCH DESIGN15

Patient History15

Screening Instruments for cognitive Deterioration15

The Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR)16

Significance and Limitations18

EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH DATA THAT MAY BE COLLECTED19

SOCIAL CHANGE IMPLICATIONS19

OTHER INFORMATION21

REFERENCES22

INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

For many individuals, old age is marked by an inability to maintain the same level of physical agility and mental alertness they posses in their youth. Daily functions and motor skills are affected. Memory and congnitive deteriorations are the two most likely affects that mark old age among individuals. What precisely leads to such a situation has provided for much speculation and research among researchers and scientists alike. Most of them attribute such a condition to prevalence of depression. The onset of depression , has proved in most cases, a precursor to dementia and cognitive deteriortation among the elderly. (Tatulian, et al, 2005).

There have been many studies indicating a strong causal relationship between depression and mental deterioration or dementia. These disturbances are highly significant since both depression and cognitive decline increase disability, mortality rates, and risk of institutionalization while lowering one's quality of life. When they occur, these neuropsychiatric disorders have devastating outcomes, affecting both the individual and the individual's family. Thus, it is important that one understands the pathophysiology of how and why these disorders develop, which can potentially guide research toward preventive interventions. Preventing the onset of dementia and cognitive decline becomes a matter of great consequence (Tatulian, et al, 2005).

Aging

The term "aging" refers to the that period in an individual's life, which is characterized by a gradual weakening in motor and cognitive skills. Additionally, stereotypes, prejudices and generalizations have designed a psychological picture of the elderly, characterized by memory defects, learning difficulties, slowing of mental performance, emotional weakness, selfishness, greed, repetition, disinterest, loss of creativity and design, rigidity, stubbornness, touchiness, and an inability to effectively recall the past memories. We must emphasize, however, that any generalization is erroneous. A strategy appropriate for the understanding of the problem is to distinguish the aspects more strictly when studying cognition, including memory, attention and learning ability. One must also differentiate between the psychological reasons from ones, such as emotional and affective.

These aspects are interconnected, but one can usually observe discrepancies in their manifestation: we all know older people with memory and having no sign of cognitive impairment, but psychologically ...