Preventing the Return of Depression in Elderly Patients

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2000-04-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two doses of nortriptyline in elderly patients whose depression returned after stopping treatment. Nortriptyline is an antidepressant.

This study enrolls patients who were treated for depression in an earlier research study and whose depression has returned since stopping treatment. Patients are treated for 4 months to bring the depression under control. Patients are then assigned randomly (like tossing a coin) to receive either the full dose of nortriptyline or half the usual dose of nortriptyline. Patients continue taking nortriptyline for 2 years or until a major depression returns. Throughout the study, patients are monitored for symptoms of depression and other side effects.

• Phase: N/A

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh
• Collaborator: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• Treatments: Antidepressive Agents; Nortriptyline

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

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Patients must have:

Recurrence of major depression while in a maintenance placebo condition in the currently funded maintenance therapy protocol (Study I).