Clinical Research Studies

Are you eligible to participate in this study?

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

• Conditions:
  Depression
• Age: Between 60 Year(s) - 99 Year(s)
• Gender: Male or Female

• Other Inclusion Criteria:
  

  1. Male and female subjects, age 60+ years inclusive, at the time of signing the informed consent
  2. Meeting Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-5-RV) for DSM-5 criteria for Major depressive disorder
  3. Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) = 18
  4. Have results of a physical examination, neurological examination, vitals, and EKG within normal limits at screening
  5. Cognitively unimpaired
  6. Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) Global of 0
  7. A score of 85 or greater on the RBANS delayed memory index score
  8. Fluent in English
  9. Medically stable with no significant cerebrovascular, neurological, or systemic disease
  10. Adequate auditory acuity and normal-to-corrected vision
  11. Have a reliable and competent study partner who can accompany the subject to the Screening Visit to verify absence of impairment in cognitive functions or activities of daily living
  12. Willing to undergo brain MRI, urine drug screen and blood sampling for routine laboratory testing, lumbar puncture, APOE genotyping and plasma drug levels
  13. Normal hepatic and renal function

  
  

You may not be eligible for this study if the following are true:

• 1. History of brain tumor, MRI evidence of brain damage or brain disease including significant trauma, hydrocephalus, seizures, or confluent (or more extensive) white matter hyperintensities
  2. Mental retardation, or other serious neurological disorder
  3. Subjects with a Fazekas scale >2
  4. Significant history of alcoholism or drug abuse in the past 2 years
  5. A current significant risk for suicidality based on the Columbia-Suicide-Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
  6. Insulin dependent diabetes
  7. Evidence of clinically relevant or unstable cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine or hematological conditions.
  8. Any prosthetic devices (e.g., pacemaker or surgical clips) that constitutes a hazard for MRI imaging.
  9. Positive urine drug screen for illicit drugs.
  10. History of poor tolerance to, poor response to, or ongoing treatment with escitalopram
  11. If taking antidepressants, currently taking fluoxetine
  12. Currently taking medications potentially affecting cognition other than SSRIs; narcotic analgesics,chronic use of medications with anticholinergic activity, Anti-Parkinsonian medications