Rovner BW, German PS, Brant LJ, Clark R, Burton L, Folstein MF. (1991). Depression and mortality in nursing homes. JAMA. 265: 993. 

This prospective observation study of 454 nursing home residents found that 13% had major depression.  Depressed residents had a 1.59 greater risk of mortality over one year than nondepressed residents independent of medical comorbidity and other covariates.

Rovner BW, Casten RJ, Hegel MT, Leiby BE, Tasman WS. (2007). Preventing depression in age-related macular degeneration. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 64: 886. 

This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of problem-solving therapy versus usual care to prevent depression in patients with age-related macular degeneration.  Problem-solving treatment reduced the incidence of depression by 50% and prevented the loss of valued activities.

Rovner BW, Casten RJ, Hegel MT, Leiby BE. (2012). Preventing Cognitive Decline in Older African Americans with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Design and Methods of a Randomized Clinical Trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 33:  712.

This paper describes the methods of an ongoing randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of behavioral activation vs. an attention control treatment to prevent cognitive decline in African Americans with Mild Cognitive Impairment by increasing participation in cognitive, physical, and social activities.

Rovner BW, Casten RJ, Harris LF. (2013). Cultural diversity and views on Alzheimer disease in older African Americans. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 27: 133.

Cultural constructs prevalent in older African Americans may influence risk perceptions and knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease. This study of 271 older African Americans found that time orientation (immediate vs. longer term perspective) and religiosity correlated with perceptions of control over health and knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease.

Rovner BW, Casten RJ, Hegel MT, Massof RW, Leiby BE, Ho AC, Tasman WS. (2014). Low vision depression prevention trial in age-related macular degeneration: a randomized clinical trial.  Ophthalmology. 121: 2204.

This randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of Behavioral Activation + Low Vision Rehabilitation + Occupational Therapy versus Supportive Therapy+ Low Vision Rehabilitation to prevent major depression in patients with age-related macular degeneration.  The integrated mental health/low vision intervention halved the incidence of depressive disorders relative to standard outpatient low vision rehabilitation.