Cerebrovascular risk factors, executive dysfunction, and depression in older primary care patients.

Objective: "Executive" cognitive functions may be of particular clinical importance in geriatric depression and may reflect underlying cerebrovascular disease. This study examined the associations of selected components of executive function with cerebrovascular risk factors, depression, and overall functional status.

Method: Study measures were completed on 448 primary care patients aged>or=65 years based on patient interviews and medical chart review.