Discuss the etiological differences between older adults with early-onset depression and older adults with late-onset depression

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Older adults with early-onset depression (typically defined as onset before age 35 or 45 ) more often have a family history of depression, probably reflecting genetic influences. In contrast, people with late-onset depression are more likely to have coexistent cognitive impairment and more evidence of brain abnormalities, suggesting the presence of brain deterioration. They more often have a family history of dementia as well. Late-onset depression seems to occur more often in the context of vascular, neurological, or other physical diseases that are associated with genetic causes, such as Parkinson's disease, cerebrovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease.