Previous trials have shown that in patients that do not improve, adjunctive treatment with aripiprazole (an atypical antipsychotic) is more effective than stand-alone treatment with antidepressants (Steffens D, 2011). There is a gap in the information available regarding augmentation in late life depression in older adults (Dew M. et al, 2007).

Owing to this lack of evidence for clinicians, Lenze and colleagues (2015) developed a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial (the first of its kind) that proposed the addition of aripiprazole would:

Be associated with higher remission probability rate than placebo Greater improvement of depressive symptoms Resolution of suicidal ideation Better stability than placebo But may lead to increased risk of akathisia