Venlafaxine for Depression in Alzheimer's Disease (DIADs-3)
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2017-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study will test the use of venlafaxine to treat the depression in Alzheimer's Disease.
Venlafaxine works by increasing natural substances in the brain (serotonin and
norepinephrine) that help maintain mental balance. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the commonest
neurodegenerative disease of aging and the cause of major financial and emotional burden to
patients, families and caregivers, and society. Depression is a very common symptom of AD,
affecting as many as 50% of patients over their illness. Depression in AD (Alzheimer's
disease) contributes greatly to patient disability and caregiver distress. Neither
psychosocial interventions nor psychotropic medications have proven effective to date for the
treatment of depression in AD.Venlafaxine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for the treatment of major depression but it is not known whether or not
it can help depression in Alzheimer's Disease.