Frontal Lobe Syndrome and Depression in Old Age

Abstract

Frontal systems disorder can easily be misdiagnosed as depression, since patients may present with similar symptoms. Two cases are reported that illustrate the confusing features of the two disorders. Characteristics that help differentiate frontal systems disorder from depression include: patients are apathetic rather than deeply depressed; personality changes are more dramatic than those that occur in depression; and insight and judgement are usually impaired. (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1988;1:53-55)