An open-label study of escitalopram (Lexapro) for the treatment of 'Depression of Alzheimer's disease' (dAD)

V Rao; J R Spiro; P B Rosenberg; H B Lee; A Rosenblatt; C G Lyketsos

doi:10.1002/gps.1459

An open-label study of escitalopram (Lexapro) for the treatment of 'Depression of Alzheimer's disease' (dAD)

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2006 Mar;21(3):273-4. doi: 10.1002/gps.1459.

Authors

V Rao¹, J R Spiro, P B Rosenberg, H B Lee, A Rosenblatt, C G Lyketsos

Affiliation

¹ Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. vrao@jhmi.edu

PMID: 16477587
DOI: 10.1002/gps.1459

Abstract

Background: Depression is a frequent neuropsychiatric complication of Alzheimer's Disease.

Methods: This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of escitalopram (LEXAPRO) for depression in AD (dAD) as defined by the NIMH consensus criteria in an 8-week, open-label treatment study.

Conclusion: Escitalopram was efficacious and safe for the treatment of dAD in this study. Larger, controlled studies are warranted to further assess the efficacy for mood and behavioral disturbances in this medically fragile population.

Publication types

Clinical Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alzheimer Disease / psychology*
Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / adverse effects
Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / therapeutic use*
Citalopram / adverse effects
Citalopram / therapeutic use*
Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
Depressive Disorder / etiology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
Citalopram