title: Results of the citalopram to enhance cognition in Huntington disease trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to evaluate citalopram for executive functioning in Huntington's disease (HD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. Thirty-three adults with HD, cognitive complaints, and no depression (Hamilton Depression [HAM-D] rating scale ≤ 12) were administered citalopram 20 mg or placebo (7 visits, 20 weeks), with practice and placebo run-ins. The primary outcome was change in executive functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intent to treat analysis was controlled for practice effects, comparing visits 1 and 2 to visits 5 and 6 for citalopram versus placebo. There were no significant benefits on the executive function composite (treatment-placebo mean difference -0.167; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.361 to 0.028; P = .092). Citalopram participants showed improved clinician-rated depression symptoms on the HAM-D (t = -2.02; P = 0.05). There were no group differences on motor ratings, self-reported executive functions, psychiatric symptoms, or functional status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no evidence that short-term treatment with citalopram improved executive functions in HD. Despite excluding patients with active depression, participants on citalopram showed improved mood, raising the possibility of efficacy for subsyndromal depression in HD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Neurological program, Elks Rehab Hospital, Boise, Idaho, USA.
authors.forename: Leigh J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Beglinger
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Langbehn
authors.forename: Jess G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Fiedorowicz
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jorge
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Biglan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caviness
authors.forename: Blair
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kieburtz
authors.forename: Jane S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Paulsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015283:Citalopram
keywords: Huntington disease; clinical trial; cognitive disorders/dementia; neuropsychological assessment