Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of sertraline in the treatment of depression complicating Alzheimer's disease: initial results from the Depression in Alzheimer's Disease study.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of sertraline in the treatment of major depression in 22 outpatients with Alzheimer's disease.


METHODS
Twelve of the 22 patients were given sertraline and 10 were given placebo by random group assignment for 12 weeks. Response to treatment was measured by using the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. The patients were also assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the activities of daily living subscale of the Psychogeriatric Dependency Rating Scales, and the Mini-Mental State.


RESULTS
After 12 weeks of double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment, nine of the patients given sertraline and two of those given placebo were at least partial responders. Patients given sertraline had significantly greater mean declines from baseline in Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia scores; the bulk of antidepressant response occurred by the third week of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Sertraline is superior to placebo in reducing depression in patients with Alzheimer's disease who also suffer from major depression.
Lyketsos
C G
CG
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. kostas@jhmi.edu
Sheppard
J M
JM
Steele
C D
CD
Kopunek
S
S
Steinberg
M
M
Baker
A S
AS
Brandt
J
J
Rabins
P V
PV
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline