A placebo-controlled double-blind randomized study of venlafaxine in the treatment of depression in dementia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine in the treatment of major depression in dementia.


METHODS
Thirty-one outpatients who had dementia and major depression participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week, flexible dose clinical trial. The screening measures were Cornell Scale for depression in dementia, DSM-IV for depression and dementia and Mini-Mental State Examination. The outcome measures were response rate, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale and Clinical Global Impressions.


RESULTS
The percentage of patients defined as Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale responders was approximately the same in the placebo and in the venlafaxine groups. Clinical Global Impressions showed no significant difference between the groups. The reasons for dropouts show borderline significance between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the venlafaxine and placebo-treated groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data do not support the hypothesis that venlafaxine improves mood in elderly demented patients.
de Vasconcelos Cunha
Ulisses Gabriel
UG
Geriatric Unit, Governador Israel Pinheiro Hospital, Minas Gerais, Brazil. ugvc@globo.com
Lopes Rocha
Fábio
F
Avila de Melo
Rodrigo
R
Alves Valle
Estevão
E
de Souza Neto
José Júlio
JJ
Mendes Brega
Rodrigo
R
Magalhães Scoralick
Francisca
F
Araújo Silva
Silvana
S
Martins de Oliveira
Flaviana
F
da Costa Júnior
Antônio Luciano
AL
Faria Alves
Viviane Xavier
VX
Sakurai
Emília
E
D000368:Aged; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride