Biological CVD Risk Factors in Older Depressed Patients

The purpose of this study is to determine if improvements in mood will ameliorate autonomic dysregulation, HPA dysfunction and typical (e.g. lipids) and atypical risk factors in depressed patients with elevated cardiovascular risk (CVD). Up to 70, depressed participants with elevated cardiovascular risk factors were randomized to a cognitive behavioral intervention (CBT) or a waiting list control (WLC) condition. Twenty non-depressed age and risk-matched controls will also recruited. Traditional risk factors (e.g. lipids, blood pressure, heart rate), atypical risk factors (endothelial function, asymmetric dimethylarginine, C-reactive protein) will be measured pre and post treatment six months later Subjects will undergo a psychophysiological stress test while cardiovascular physiology was measured. Salivary cortisol will be measured during the day and during the psychological stress test. Depressed subjects will be randomized to a 16 week cognitive behavior therapy intervention or to a wait-list control. It is hypothesized that reduction in mood will be associated with reduction in typical and atypical risk factors.