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

Baseline, and 2, 4, 8, 16, 28, 40, 52 weeks after baseline.