Brain Effects of Escitalopram and Citalopram Using fMRI
Information source: Steward St. Elizabeth's Medical Center of Boston, Inc.
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Antidepressant Activity in Healthy Volunteers
Intervention: Escitalopram (Drug); Citalopram (Drug); Placebo (Drug)
Phase: Phase 4
Status: Completed
Sponsored by: Michael Henry, MD Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Michael E Henry, MD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Steward St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
Summary
Escitalopram (Lexapro) and citalopram (Celexa) are similar selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors that alter blood flow to the amygdala and other brain structures involved in
regulating mood. Escitalopram consists of S-citalopram while citalopram contains both
S-citalopram and R-citalopram (racemic citalopram). There is evidence that R-citalopram may
block the effects of S-citalopram. The hypothesis being tested is that because of the
antagonist effect of R-citalopram, S-citalopram will have a greater effect on the mood
circuit than racemic citalopram when equal doses of S-citalopram are administered. The study
design consists of a two week medication period followed by blood oxygen level dependent
(BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while viewing affective visual stimuli.
Clinical Details
Official title: A Comparison of the CNS Effects of Equivalent Doses of Escitalopram and Racemic Citalopram Using BOLD fMRI
Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment
Primary outcome: Number of Voxels Showing Greater Activation Following Escitalopram Compared With Citalopram When Happy and Fearful Faces Are Presented in a Rapid Covert Stimulus Presentation.
Secondary outcome: Number of Voxels Showing Greater Activation Following Escitalopram Compared With Citalopram When Faces and a Fixation Stimulus Are Presented in an Overt Presentation.Number of Voxels Showing Greater Activation Following Citalopram Compared With Placebo When Affective Faces Are Presented in a Covert Stimulus Presentation and Contrasted With a Fixation Stimulus. Number of Voxels Showing Greater Activation Following Citalopram Compared With Placebo When Affective Faces Are Presented in a Covert Stimulus Presentation and Contrasted With a Fixation Stimulus. Number of Voxels Showing Greater Activation Following Escitalopram Compared With Placebo When Affective Faces Are Presented in a Covert Stimulus Presentation and Contrasted With a Fixation Stimulus. Number of Voxels Showing Greater Activation Following Placebo Compared With Citalopram When Affective Words Are Contrasted With a Fixation Stimulus. Number of Voxels Showing Greater Activation Following Escitalopram Compared With Citalopram When Affective Words Are Contrasted With a Fixation Stimulus.
Eligibility
Minimum age: 21 Years.
Maximum age: 50 Years.
Gender(s): Male.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Healthy male aged 21 to 50 years.
- Capable of providing informed consent.
- Has an established residence and phone.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Meets DSM-IV criteria for an Axis I or II disorder.
- History of substance dependence or abuse within the past month.
- Use of NSAID's, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants,
antipsychotic medications, lithium or other medication which in the opinion of the
investigator would alter vascular responsivity.
- Regular use of sedative hypnotic or narcotic medication, or other medication that
might affect the individual's perception of visual stimuli.
- History of cataracts or significant visual impairment.
- A medical condition, which in the opinion of the investigator is likely to affect the
individual's perception of the visual stimuli or vascular response.
- Participation in a research protocol that included administration of medication
within the past 3 months.
- Cigarette smoking.
Locations and Contacts
Steward St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, United States
Additional Information
Related publications: Windischberger C, Lanzenberger R, Holik A, Spindelegger C, Stein P, Moser U, Gerstl F, Fink M, Moser E, Kasper S. Area-specific modulation of neural activation comparing escitalopram and citalopram revealed by pharmaco-fMRI: a randomized cross-over study. Neuroimage. 2010 Jan 15;49(2):1161-70. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.10.013. Epub 2009 Oct 13.
Starting date: May 2007
Last updated: June 16, 2015
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