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Aetiology of late-life depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

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Depressive disorder has no single cause. Arguably, in old age it is a more heterogeneous condition than in earlier adult life, in both clinical presentation and causation. A broad distinction is often made between early- and late-onset depression in later life. The aetiology of these may differ and is currently the subject of new research.

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Research Article
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Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 1999 

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