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N/A N=31 Basic Science

Circadian Effects of Escitalopram

Depression

Enrolled (actual)
31
Serious AEs
1.2%
Results posted
Aug 2019
Primary outcome: Primary: Change in Dim Light Melatonin Onset — 21.17; 20.77 decimal military time (hours) — p=0.2

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
N/A
Interventions
placebo/escitalopram (Drug)
Age
Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
Oregon Health and Science University
Primary completion
Dec 2011

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Change in Dim Light Melatonin Onset
21.17; 20.77 0.2
SECONDARY
Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) Scores
-2.3 0.01 sig
SECONDARY
Change in Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) Scores
-3.3 0.14
SECONDARY
Change in Phase Angle Difference (PAD)
-0.6 0.06

Summary

The goal of the study is to obtain preliminary data that will test whether the antidepressant medication escitalopram resets the body clock: a collection of nerve cells in the brain that control the timing of many body processes. The study will also test whether the improvement in depression symptoms with escitalopram correlates with the degree to which the timing of the body clock is properly aligned with the timing of sleep.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • 18-65 years old
  • able to comply with requirements of the experimental protocol
  • competent to sign informed consent
  • have mild to severe major depressive disorder without psychotic features and without a seasonal pattern
  • currently be under the care of a licensed mental health care provider or primary care physician
  • Score > 7 when interviewed by a trained rater using the 21-Item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D)
  • be in good physical health
  • not be suicidal
  • not be taking any other antidepressant medications besides escitalopram during the study
  • be free of antidepressant medications for 2-4 weeks prior to beginning the study
  • not have a history of transmeridian travel or shift work in the past 2 months and have no plans for transmeridian travel or shift work for the duration of the study
  • be able to maintain a regular sleep wake schedule for the weeks one and nine of study
  • women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test and practice an acceptable method of birth control

Exclusion Criteria

  • abnormal heart, liver, or kidney function
  • significant laboratory abnormalities on Complete Blood Count, Complete Metabolic Set, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, EKG, & urinalysis
  • shift work or transmeridian travel in the last 2 months
  • current use of melatonin
  • evidence of a primary sleep disorder by history
  • women who are pregnant or lactating
  • be taking medications with known sedative or stimulating effects or that would interfere with the production of melatonin
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01214044). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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