title: A placebo-controlled double-blind randomized study of venlafaxine in the treatment of depression in dementia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Unit, Governador Israel Pinheiro Hospital, Minas Gerais, Brazil. ugvc@globo.com
authors.forename: Ulisses Gabriel
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: de Vasconcelos Cunha
authors.forename: Fábio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lopes Rocha
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Avila de Melo
authors.forename: Estevão
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alves Valle
authors.forename: José Júlio
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: de Souza Neto
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mendes Brega
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magalhães Scoralick
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Araújo Silva
authors.forename: Flaviana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martins de Oliveira
authors.forename: Antônio Luciano
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: da Costa Júnior
authors.forename: Viviane Xavier
authors.initials: VX
authors.lastname: Faria Alves
authors.forename: Emília
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sakurai
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride