Trial Outcomes & Findings for Escitalopram Effects on CSF Amyloid Beta (NCT NCT02161458)

NCT ID: NCT02161458

Last Updated: 2020-04-09

Results Overview

Change in the level of Amyloid Beta peptides (Amyloid Beta 42 and Amyloid Beta 40) in the CSF between the measurement at baseline and the measurement after exposure with escitalopram.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE4

Target enrollment

98 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

2 - 8 Weeks (we used week 8 minus baseline and week 2 minus baseline)

Results posted on

2020-04-09

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Escitalopram 20mg for 2 Weeks
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20mg for 2 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 9 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 2 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 20mg for 2 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20 mg for 2 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Placebo (Sugar Pill)
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive placebo for 2 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 9 days) or 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 51 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 2 or 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Placebo: Additionally, 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive a placebo; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., placebo) administration.
Escitalopram 30mg for 8 Weeks
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 30 mg for 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 5 days; then 30 mg for 46 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 30mg for 8 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 30 mg for 8 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Escitalopram 20mg for 8 Weeks
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20mg for 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 51 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 20mg for 8 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20 mg for 8 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Overall Study
STARTED
22
35
33
8
Overall Study
COMPLETED
22
29
28
8
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
6
5
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Escitalopram 20mg for 2 Weeks
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20mg for 2 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 9 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 2 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 20mg for 2 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20 mg for 2 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Placebo (Sugar Pill)
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive placebo for 2 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 9 days) or 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 51 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 2 or 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Placebo: Additionally, 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive a placebo; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., placebo) administration.
Escitalopram 30mg for 8 Weeks
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 30 mg for 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 5 days; then 30 mg for 46 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 30mg for 8 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 30 mg for 8 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Escitalopram 20mg for 8 Weeks
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20mg for 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 51 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 20mg for 8 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20 mg for 8 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
0
4
4
0
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
0
2
1
0

Baseline Characteristics

Escitalopram Effects on CSF Amyloid Beta

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Escitalopram 20mg for 2 Weeks
n=22 Participants
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20mg for 2 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 9 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 2 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 20mg for 2 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20 mg for 2 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Placebo (Sugar Pill)
n=29 Participants
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive placebo for 2 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 9 days) or 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 51 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 2 or 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Placebo: Additionally, 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive a placebo; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., placebo) administration.
Escitalopram 30mg for 8 Weeks
n=28 Participants
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 30 mg for 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 5 days; then 30 mg for 46 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 30mg for 8 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 30 mg for 8 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Escitalopram 20mg for 8 Weeks
n=8 Participants
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20mg for 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 51 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 20mg for 8 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20 mg for 8 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Total
n=87 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
71 years
n=5 Participants
70 years
n=7 Participants
67 years
n=5 Participants
65 years
n=4 Participants
69 years
n=21 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
14 Participants
n=5 Participants
5 Participants
n=4 Participants
36 Participants
n=21 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
14 Participants
n=5 Participants
20 Participants
n=7 Participants
14 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=4 Participants
51 Participants
n=21 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=21 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
1 Participants
n=21 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=21 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
4 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=4 Participants
13 Participants
n=21 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
17 Participants
n=5 Participants
24 Participants
n=7 Participants
24 Participants
n=5 Participants
7 Participants
n=4 Participants
72 Participants
n=21 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
1 Participants
n=21 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=21 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
22 participants
n=5 Participants
29 participants
n=7 Participants
28 participants
n=5 Participants
8 participants
n=4 Participants
87 participants
n=21 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 - 8 Weeks (we used week 8 minus baseline and week 2 minus baseline)

Change in the level of Amyloid Beta peptides (Amyloid Beta 42 and Amyloid Beta 40) in the CSF between the measurement at baseline and the measurement after exposure with escitalopram.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Escitalopram 20mg for 2 Weeks
n=22 Participants
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20mg for 2 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 9 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 2 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 20mg for 2 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20 mg for 2 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Placebo (Sugar Pill)
n=29 Participants
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive placebo for 2 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 9 days) or 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 51 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 2 or 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Placebo: Additionally, 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive a placebo; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., placebo) administration.
Escitalopram 30mg for 8 Weeks
n=28 Participants
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 30 mg for 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 5 days; then 30 mg for 46 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 30mg for 8 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 30 mg for 8 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Escitalopram 20mg for 8 Weeks
n=8 Participants
30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20mg for 8 weeks (upward titration as: 10mg for 5 days, then 20mg for 51 days); and amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and after 8 weeks of study drug (active or placebo). Participants will taper off medication following the 2nd CSF measurement. Escitalopram 20mg for 8 weeks: 30 cognitively normal adults aged 60-85 will receive escitalopram 20 mg for 8 weeks; amyloid beta levels in the CSF will be measured at baseline (before drug administration) and following the full study drug (i.e., active drug) administration.
Amyloid Beta Levels in CSF
Ab 42 in CSF
-12.7 pg/mL
Standard Deviation 24.43
6.74 pg/mL
Standard Deviation 45.16
-22.73 pg/mL
Standard Deviation 43.80
-25.63 pg/mL
Standard Deviation 23.29
Amyloid Beta Levels in CSF
Ab 40 in CSF
46.27 pg/mL
Standard Deviation 539.29
197.36 pg/mL
Standard Deviation 540.82
-152.64 pg/mL
Standard Deviation 572.90
-41.82 pg/mL
Standard Deviation 1039.83

Adverse Events

Escitalopram 20mg for 2 Weeks

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo (Sugar Pill)

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Escitalopram 30mg for 8 Weeks

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Escitalopram 20mg for 8 Weeks

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Yvette Sheline, Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

Phone: 215-746-2637

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place