Epidemiology of mental disorders in old age

Large-scale epidemiological surveys have reported that the prevalence of mental disorders is low in the elderly, with the exception of cognitive impairment. It is therefore not surprising that dementia continues to be the major focus of epidemiological attention. A particularly hot area is protection factors for Alzheimer's disease, in particular oestrogen replacement therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and a high level of education. Depression is the second major focus of epidemiological research, with particular interest in the issue of whether the prevalence of depression really is lower in the elderly or whether the finding is a methodological artefact.