Progression Delaying Effect of Escitalopram in Alzheimer's Disease

Multi-center, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Clinical Trial of Escitalopram on the Progression Delaying Effect in Alzheimer's Disease

This study aimed to test whether escitalopram would slow the brain atrophy in patients with mild to moderate AD over the 52-week period.

• Study institutions: Four university hospitals in Korea
• Design: Multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial
• Subjects: 74 probable Alzheimer's disease patients who have been taking donepezil at stable dose within 2 months (Escitalopram 37 : Placebo 37)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age:40~90 years
• Education:not illiterate
• Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR):0.5~2
• Modified Hachinski Ischemic Score (Rosen et al., 1979):less than 4
• Dementia according to DSM-IV criteria
• Probable Alzheimer's disease according to NINCDS-ADRDA criteria
• Current ongoing donepezil medication at stable doses (5 ~ 10 mg/day) for at least 2 months

Exclusion criteria:

• Evidence of delirium, confusion or altered consciousness
• Evidence of Parkinson's disease, stroke, brain tumor and normal pressure hydrocephalus
• Evidence of infectious or inflammatory brain disease
• Evidence of serious cerebrovascular diseases
• Current major depressive disorder or other major psychiatric illnesses
• Evidence of serious or unstable medical illnesses which can significantly change cognitive state
• History of alcohol or other substance dependence
• Any antidepressant medications within the previous 4 weeks
• Absence of a reliable and cooperative collateral informant
• Any conditions which prohibit MRI scan, such as presence of pacemaker or cerebrovascular clip, and claustrophobia
• Evidence of focal brain lesions on MRI including lacunes and white matter hyperintensity lesions of grade 2 or more by Fazeka scale