SSRIs vs. TCAs for Depression in ALS Patients
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Depression, Depression, Neurology, Neurology, Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 25 - 80 |
| Updated: | 1/9/2019 |
| Start Date: | July 21, 2015 |
| End Date: | December 31, 2019 |
| Contact: | Ghazala s Hayat, MD |
| Email: | hayatm2@slu.edu |
| Phone: | 314-977-4800 |
An Open-Label Pilot Study Comparing the Efficacy of Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Versus Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) for Treating Depression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Depression is seen in 9-11% of ALS patients and adequate and proper treatment is needed. In
this study, ALS patients will be screened for depression using self-reported multiple choice
questionnaire. Patients who fulfill the criteria for depression based on this screening tool
will be evaluated by psychiatrist before inclusion in the study. The investigators will also
measure quality of life and functional status by simple questionnaires. The patients will be
allocated into two treatment groups to receive either TCA or SSRI for 12 weeks. Patients will
be evaluated every 4 weeks and phone calls will be made in between the visits if needed to
assess about efficacy and any side effects. If any patient reports having suicidal thoughts
on any of these phone calls or clinic visits, he/she will be immediately sent to the ER for
appropriate management. The investigators will repeat the questionnaires in the clinic
visits, and use them in the data analysis to look for any improvement and to compare the two
medication classes used in this study. This data may be used later on to do larger studies
and help to make standard recommendations in treating depression in ALS patients.
this study, ALS patients will be screened for depression using self-reported multiple choice
questionnaire. Patients who fulfill the criteria for depression based on this screening tool
will be evaluated by psychiatrist before inclusion in the study. The investigators will also
measure quality of life and functional status by simple questionnaires. The patients will be
allocated into two treatment groups to receive either TCA or SSRI for 12 weeks. Patients will
be evaluated every 4 weeks and phone calls will be made in between the visits if needed to
assess about efficacy and any side effects. If any patient reports having suicidal thoughts
on any of these phone calls or clinic visits, he/she will be immediately sent to the ER for
appropriate management. The investigators will repeat the questionnaires in the clinic
visits, and use them in the data analysis to look for any improvement and to compare the two
medication classes used in this study. This data may be used later on to do larger studies
and help to make standard recommendations in treating depression in ALS patients.
This study is a 12-week, open-label, non-randomized, pilot clinical intervention trial. This
is investigator initiated study.This trial will be done at St Louis University ALS clinic.
ALS patients will be screened for depression using Beck depression inventory (BDI-II) scale.
A mental healthcare provider will evaluate the patients scoring 19 or above, before inclusion
in the study. Quality of Life (QOL) assessment by questionnaire (McGill) and ALS functional
rating scale (ALS-FRS) measurement will be done at the baseline. Then these patients will be
allocated into two treatment groups to receive either TCA or SSRI medication for 12 weeks
based on the clinical judgment (non-randomized). Patients will require clinical encounters
every 4 weeks and telephone encounters in between the visits to assess the effectiveness of
medication and tolerability of the side effects if any. If any patient endorses active
suicidal ideation on any of these assessments, he/she will be immediately sent to the ER for
appropriate management. At 4, 8 and 12-week clinic visits, repeat BDI, QOL and ALS-FRS
measurement will be done on each patient from both groups and used in the data analysis.
is investigator initiated study.This trial will be done at St Louis University ALS clinic.
ALS patients will be screened for depression using Beck depression inventory (BDI-II) scale.
A mental healthcare provider will evaluate the patients scoring 19 or above, before inclusion
in the study. Quality of Life (QOL) assessment by questionnaire (McGill) and ALS functional
rating scale (ALS-FRS) measurement will be done at the baseline. Then these patients will be
allocated into two treatment groups to receive either TCA or SSRI medication for 12 weeks
based on the clinical judgment (non-randomized). Patients will require clinical encounters
every 4 weeks and telephone encounters in between the visits to assess the effectiveness of
medication and tolerability of the side effects if any. If any patient endorses active
suicidal ideation on any of these assessments, he/she will be immediately sent to the ER for
appropriate management. At 4, 8 and 12-week clinic visits, repeat BDI, QOL and ALS-FRS
measurement will be done on each patient from both groups and used in the data analysis.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Documented diagnosis of definite or probable ALS
- Informed and written consent for enrollment in study
- Gender: both male and female
- Age: 25-80 years
- BDI score 19 or above
- Depression diagnosis by mental health provider
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of psychotic disorder, premorbid bipolar depression
- ALS-FRS score < 26
- Cognitive impairment
- Currently on SSRIs or TCAs. However if for some reason they are off their treatment,
then they can be enrolled in the study after a washout period of 30 days.
- Currently on other antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),
selective norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) etc.
We found this trial at
1
site
1438 South Grand Boulevard
Saint Louis, Missouri 63104
Saint Louis, Missouri 63104
Phone: 314-977-4829
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