ASPREE-D: Aspirin for the prevention of depression in the elderly. (31st May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berk, Michael; Woods, R. L.; Nelson, M. R.; Shah, R. C.; Reid, C. M.; Storey, E.; Fitzgerald, S. M.; Lockery, J. E.; Wolfe, R.; Mohebbi, M.; Murray, A. M.; Kirpach, B.; Grimm, R.; McNeil, J. J.
• Is Part Of: International psychogeriatrics. Volume 28:Number 10(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1741
• Page End: 1748
• Publication Date: 2016-05-31
• Subjects: immunology, -- antidepressants, -- biomarkers, -- aspirin, -- inflammation, -- risk, -- prevention, -- depression; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.9768905
• DOI: 10.1017/S104161021600079X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1041-6102

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Not only is depression associated with increased inflammation but inflammation is a risk factor for the genesis of depression. Many of the environmental risk factors for depression are transduced through inflammatory signaling. Anti-inflammatory agents show promise for the management of depression in preclinical, epidemiological, and early clinical studies. This opens the door to the potential for anti-inflammatory agents to treat and prevent depression. There are no evidence-based pharmacotherapies for depression prevention. Method: ASPREE-D, aspirin in the prevention of depression in the elderly, is a sub study of ASPREE, which explores the potential of aspirin to prevent a range of inflammation related disorders in the elderly. With a sample size of 19, 114, and a duration of 5 years, this placebo controlled study will be one of the largest randomized controlled trials in psychiatry and will provide definitive evidence on the ability of aspirin to prevent depression. Results: This paper presents the rationale for the study and presents a summary of the study design. Conclusions: ASPREE-D may not only define novel therapy but will provide mechanistic proof of concept of the role of inflammation in depression.