Testing a new drug to reduce anxiety and agitation in people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Purpose

A person with Alzheimer's often feels anxious or upset easily. They might be restless, unable to sleep or pace back and forth. These problems, called agitation, can keep them from a normal day-and-night routine and might become harmful for your loved one or their caregivers.

Can FDA-approved medication that treats sadness and anxiety also help with agitation? USC Alzheimer Disease Research Center is looking for volunteers with any form of dementia (Alzheimer's disease) to join our 24-week study of Escitalopram to reduce agitation.

Volunteers and their caregivers will receive structured and personalized resources and therapies. Participants will receive Escitalopram for 12 weeks, with in-person visits at weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12, and with telephone contacts between in-person visits.

Must speak and understand English or Spanish

Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, agitation, caregivers, anxiety, nervousness

Study Sites

USC Keck Hospital, 1520 San Pablo Street 90033

 
  • Men & Women
Age icon
18 +
 
 
OR
 

What's involved?

Study length

  • 24 weeks

Number of visits

  • 6 in-person visits

  • 7 telephone contacts

Prescription

  • Escitalopram or placebo

Procedures

  • Blood sample

  • Memory testing

  • Therapy

  • Heart activity measurement

Compensation

  • There will be no payment for your participation.

Medical cost coverage

  • There is no cost to participants who participate.

Why participate?

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New study @USC tests a new drug to see if it reduces anxiety and agitation in people with #Alzheimer's disease and #dementia. Join today!

Eligibility

Must have

  • Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia
  • Agitation behaviors
  • Must speak and understand English or Spanish

Can't have

  • Major Depression
  • Residence in a skilled nursing or Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) facility
  • Significant communicative impairments that would affect participation in a clinical trial

About This Study

This research study is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Center for Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03108846

You might benefit from this study because it might lessen your agitation and improve your ability to take care of yourself.

Your caregiver might benefit from the counseling sessions that will help provide your caregiver with information and emotional support.

This study might help your caregiver feel better able to care for you.

Study Team

Photohandler
Principal Investigator
Lon Schneider, MD

For questions about this study, contact:

  • Clinical Trials Manager Mauricio Becerra
  • University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
  • 323-442-7594
  • mjbecerr@usc.edu

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