Depressive disorders are highly prevalent in older persons and often seem to have an unfavourable prognosis. Little is known about the background of this unfavourable course. Therefore the Netherlands Study on Depression in Older persons (NESDO) investigates 450 depressive and 150 healthy person of 60 years and older over a period of 4 years. Data will be collected on a broad range of determinants that might influence the course of depression, such as: biological factors, social and clinical determinants, life events, physical health, cognitive functioning and the use of health care. The main aim of the study is to improve health care for depressive older persons.

The study collaborates with the NEtherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), that examines depression in younger adults. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to compare the course and and its determinants in older persons with those in younger adults.

Several institutions are involved in NESDO; the VU University Medical Center (VUMC), the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and the University Medical Center of Groningen (UMCG),  and several mental health institutions (GGZ inGeest, GGZ Rivierduinen and Lentis). More information about these institutions and the researchers involved can be found at NESDO consortium.

NESDO is financed by two Dutch organisations; 'Fonds NutsOhra' and 'Stichting tot Steun VCVGZ' and by NARSAD : the Brain and Behavior Research Fund.