G M Petracca1, E Chemerinski, S E Starkstein. 1. Department of Neuropsychiatry and Neuropsychology, Raúl Carrea Institute of Neurological Research-FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina. gmp@fleni.org.ar
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of fluoxetine in the treatment of depression in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: This double-blind, parallel-design study included a consecutive series of 41 AD subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for major or minor depression who were randomized to receive fluoxetine (up to 40 mg/day) or identical-appearing placebo. All patients received biweekly evaluations consisting of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) and the Clinical Global Impression as primary efficacy measures, and the Mini-Mental State Exam, Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, and the Functional Independence Measure as secondary efficacy measures. RESULTS:Complete remission of depression was found in 47% of subjects treated with fluoxetine and in 33% of subjects treated with placebo. Both the fluoxetine and the placebo groups showed a significant decline in HAM-D scores over time, but the magnitude of mood improvement was similar for both groups. Fluoxetine was well tolerated, and most side effects were mild. CONCLUSION:Fluoxetine treatment for depression in AD did not differ significantly from treatment with placebo. Our study also confirms the presence of a placebo effect in the treatment of depression in AD.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of fluoxetine in the treatment of depression in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: This double-blind, parallel-design study included a consecutive series of 41 AD subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for major or minor depression who were randomized to receive fluoxetine (up to 40 mg/day) or identical-appearing placebo. All patients received biweekly evaluations consisting of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) and the Clinical Global Impression as primary efficacy measures, and the Mini-Mental State Exam, Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, and the Functional Independence Measure as secondary efficacy measures. RESULTS: Complete remission of depression was found in 47% of subjects treated with fluoxetine and in 33% of subjects treated with placebo. Both the fluoxetine and the placebo groups showed a significant decline in HAM-D scores over time, but the magnitude of mood improvement was similar for both groups. Fluoxetine was well tolerated, and most side effects were mild. CONCLUSION:Fluoxetine treatment for depression in AD did not differ significantly from treatment with placebo. Our study also confirms the presence of a placebo effect in the treatment of depression in AD.
Authors: Lea T Drye; Barbara K Martin; Constantine E Frangakis; Curtis L Meinert; Jacobo E Mintzer; Cynthia A Munro; Anton P Porsteinsson; Peter V Rabins; Paul B Rosenberg; Lon S Schneider; Daniel Weintraub; Constantine G Lyketsos Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2011-06 Impact factor: 3.485
Authors: Paul B Rosenberg; Lea T Drye; Barbara K Martin; Constantine Frangakis; Jacobo E Mintzer; Daniel Weintraub; Anton P Porsteinsson; Lon S Schneider; Peter V Rabins; Cynthia A Munro; Curtis L Meinert; Constantine G Lyketsos Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2010-02 Impact factor: 4.105
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Authors: Daniel Weintraub; Paul B Rosenberg; Lea T Drye; Barbara K Martin; Constantine Frangakis; Jacobo E Mintzer; Anton P Porsteinsson; Lon S Schneider; Peter V Rabins; Cynthia A Munro; Curtis L Meinert; Constantine G Lyketsos Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 4.105