Conditions: Major Depression Multiple Sclerosis Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Keywords: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ALS Multiple Sclerosis MS Major Depression Depression Major Depressive Disorder antidepressants Escitalopram Lexapro
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 13
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to see if escitalopram (Lexapro) improves symptoms of major depressive disorder in patients who have ALS or MS.

Detailed description:
This eight-week study aims to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of escitalopram in improving symptoms of Major Depression in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as measured by the HAM-D. In addition, the study will assess improvement in the quality of life in patients with Major Depression and ALS or MS.

Arms:
arm 1: All patients will receive escitalopram 20 mg daily.

Interventions: intervention 1: escitalopram
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: After confirmation of diagnoses and safety screening escitalopram will be started at 10 mg per day and augmented weekly in 10 mg per day increments, the maximum dose being 20 mg per day. The dose will be titrated upward or downward based on clinical response and tolerability. No other psychotropic medications will be permitted during the study. Medications for coexisting medical problems (e.g. hypertension) will be permitted. Study visits will include weekly visits for first 2 weeks and biweekly visits for next 6 weeks. Medications will be dispensed weekly or biweekly and the participants will be followed for 8 weeks.

Protocol document: