Clemastine for Improving White Matter and Boosting Antidepressant Response in Late-life Depression
University of Illinois at Chicago
Summary
The goal of this study is to find out if the antihistamine, clemastine, can make the white matter in the brain better in older adults with depression. The study will also determine whether this improvement can make antidepressant treatment work better, reduce depressive symptoms, and improve memory and thinking.
Description
Geriatric depression, also known as late-life depression, is a type of major depression that affects people who are 60 years old or older. It can be difficult to treat and often comes back after treatment. It can also lead to problems with memory and thinking. Some studies have found that problems with the white matter in the brain can make it harder to treat depression in older adults. White matter helps with communication in the brain. A new study suggests that a medicine called clemastine might be able to improve the white matter in the brain. Clemastine is usually used as an antihistamine,…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 60+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \> 60 years * Diagnosis of major depressive disorder, single or recurrent episode (DSM5) * Symptom Severity: MADRS ≥ 15 * Seeking antidepressant treatment * Cognition score of MoCA \>24 * Fluent in English or Spanish Exclusion Criteria: * Other Axis I psychiatric disorders, except for simple phobia or anxiety disorders present uniquely during the depressive episode (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or panic disorder symptoms) * History of alcohol or drug dependence or abuse in the last year * History of a developmental disorder or history of IQ (intelligenc…
Interventions
- DrugClemastine Fumarate
Listed in arm/group description
- DrugPlacebo
Listed in arm/group description
Location
- University of Illinois College of MedicineChicago, Illinois