title: Effect of chronic escitalopram versus placebo on personality traits in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with depression: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The serotonergic neurotransmitter system is closely linked to depression and personality traits. It is not known if selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have an effect on neuroticism that is independent of their effect on depression. Healthy individuals with a genetic liability for depression represent a group of particular interest when investigating if intervention with SSRIs affects personality. The present trial is the first to test the hypothesis that escitalopram may reduce neuroticism in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with major depressive disorder (MD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The trial used a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled parallel-group design. We examined the effect of four weeks escitalopram 10 mg daily versus matching placebo on personality in 80 people who had a biological parent or sibling with a history of MD. The outcome measure on personality traits was change in self-reported neuroticism scores on the Revised Neuroticism-Extroversion-Openness-Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPQ) from entry until end of four weeks of intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When compared with placebo, escitalopram did not significantly affect self-reported NEO-PI-R and EPQ neuroticism and extroversion, EPQ psychoticism, NEO-PI-R openness, or NEO-PI-R conscientiousness (p all above 0.05). However, escitalopram increased NEO-PI-R agreeableness scores significantly compared with placebo (mean; SD) (2.38; 8.09) versus (-1.32; 7.94), p = 0.046), but not following correction for multiplicity. A trend was shown for increased conscientiousness (p = 0.07). There was no significant effect on subclinical depressive symptoms (p = 0.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In healthy first-degree relatives of patients with MD, there is no effect of escitalopram on neuroticism, but it is possible that escitalopram may increase the personality traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00386841.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. ulla.knorr@regionh.dk
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Knorr
authors.forename: Maj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vinberg
authors.forename: Erik Lykke
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winkel
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gluud
authors.forename: Jørn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wetterslev
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gether
authors.forename: Lars Vedel
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Kessing
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004644:Emotions; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010551:Personality / Q000187:drug effects*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010919:Placebos; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015283:Citalopram; D010919:Placebos; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors