Efficacy Study of Memantine Hydrochloride and Escitalopram for the Treatment of Co-Morbid Depression and Alcoholism.

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2006-06-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of memantine, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor blocker, in depression co-morbid with long term alcohol heavy use comparing to SSRI-inhibitor, escitalopram. Second goal is to compare their influence to cognitive tasks and the third goal is to follow up alcohol-use with these two medicines.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare; National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland
• Collaborator: Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies
• Treatments: Citalopram; Dexetimide; Memantine

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The subject/patient is able to read and understand the subject/patient information sheet.

2. Prior to any screening procedures, the subject/patient must have signed the informed consent form. No study-related procedures may be performed before the subject/patient has signed the form.

3. Age 25-70 years

4. Heavy alcohol consumption (males more than 5 doses/ day, female more than 4 doses/day) for at least 10 years

5. Alcohol dependence (DSM-IV) assessed by SCID-I interview.

6. Major depression (DSM-IV) assessed by SCID-I interview. At least 4 weeks past from the previous inpatient treatment for AWS (alcohol withdrawal syndrome).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Other drug dependence (screened by urine test)

2. Other serious mental illness (DSM-IV)

3. Hazard of suicide

4. Pregnancy

5. Serious kidney, hart or thyroid problem

6. The subject/patient, in the opinion of the investigator, is unlikely to comply with the clinical study protocol or is unsuitable for any reason.

7. Liver cirrhosis or liver enzymes ASAT tai ALAT >200.

8. The person that met the criteria stated in the Finnish Law on Clinical Studies, paragraph 7-10§ (children, pregnant, imamates or mentally handicapped).