Abstract
This chapter examines the epidemiology of mood disorders, the effects of mood disorders on cognitive function, the factors affecting vulnerability to late-life depression, and psychopharmacological interventions for these disorders. The importance of this topic is underscored by the fact that depression and mania are among the most treatable psychopathological conditions in late life. They are also a major cause for cognitive impairment, which may improve with treatment of the underlying mood disorder. Thus, recognition and differentiation of depression and mania from other late-life psychiatric disorders is of the utmost importance.