An Eight-week Study Evaluating the Efficacy of a 100mg Dose of Saredutant Once Daily, in Elderly Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of major depressive disorder, recurrent, as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria (296.3) and confirmed by the semi-structured Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Exclusion Criteria: * Total score of less than 23 on the MADRS. * HAM-D total score less than 17. * Duration of the current depressive episode less than 1 month or greater than 2 years. * Patients with an Mini Mental State Examination score of less than 23. * Patients with a history or presence of bipolar disorders or psychotic disorders. * Patients with alcohol/substance dependence or abuse in the past 12 months except nicotine or caffeine dependence. * Patients who have used the following prior to entry into Acute Phase: antipsychotics within 3 months, fluoxetine within 1 month, monoamine oxidase inhibitors within 4 weeks, other antidepressants, or mood-stabilizer (lithium, anticonvulsants) within 1 week. The investigator will evaluate whether there are other reasons why a patient may not participate