Escitalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease (S-CitAD)

Interventional Study

Get in touch about this study

What is the study about?

This study looks at the safety and effectiveness of the anti-depressant escitalopram in treating agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Participants and their caregiver(s) will receive psychosocial counselling to address agitation in Alzheimer’s disease. Participants who do not show a response will be given, at random, either escitalopram or placebo.

 

 

Eligibility- Who can participate?

Participants must:

  • Have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia
  • Have symptoms of frequent agitation and aggression
  • Have a caregiver who spends at least several hours per week with the participant, supervises their care, is willing to accompany the participant to study visits, and is willing to participate in the study
  • Be available for 6 months’ follow-up

 

Time requirement

6 in-person visits (2-3 hours each) every 3 weeks and 7 telephone contacts over 6 months. Each visit will involve assessments of mood and cognition, questionnaires, blood work and heart monitoring (ECG), and psychosocial counselling.

 

TDRA study investigators

CAMH: Drs. Tarek Rajji, Sanjeev Kumar and Bruce Pollock

Sunnybrook: Drs. Krista Lanctôt and Nathan Herrmann

 

More information

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03108846

 

Video
Advances in Dementia Research Webinar- Listen to Dr. Krista L. Lanctôt (Principal Investigator) discuss the S-CitAD study in further detail: https://youtu.be/fzer1dns-4s

TDRA Site:

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

Address: 1001 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences

Address: 700 Gordon St, Whitby, ON L1N 5S9

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Address: 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5

Age Group:

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Target Population:

Do you have questions about research studies you saw on this page? Please contact tdra@utoronto.ca

Disclaimer

The listing of a study on the Toronto Dementia Network (TDN) is for informational purposes only. The safety, efficacy or scientific validity of the studies listed here have not been evaluated by The Alzheimer Society of Toronto (AST) or the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA). The TDRA is an academic coalition among the University of Toronto and four memory clinics across Toronto at Baycrest, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the University Health Network. The information collected will be kept and guarded by TDRA. Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Before you participate in a study, you should make sure you understand the risks and potential benefits and discuss all options with your health care provider(s).