A Phase 4 interventional study of Escitalopram Pill and Placebo in Major Depressive Disorder, sponsored by Howard Aizenstein. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 60 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-03-10.
Sponsored by Howard Aizenstein · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment
The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh is conducting a research study to learn about the changes that occur in the brain when individuals suffer from and then are treated for depression. The NEMO study has two main purposes. The first is to provide medication treatment to individuals ages 60 and older who are currently depressed.
The second part of the study involves completing a series of 4 MRIs, which assess changes in brain function over the course of treatment. This research may help investigators to develop faster and more effective treatment plans in the future, as brain responses that are detected early in treatment may predict how well an individual will respond to antidepressant medication.
In this competing renewal (Year 11) of the investigators' R01 which has used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study late-life depression (LLD) pharmacotherapy (R01MH076079), the primary aim of this study is to characterize functional connectivity changes associated with initial medication exposure (12-hour challenge). Preliminary data suggests that these initial fMRI changes reflect monoaminergic engagement, regardless of monoaminergic class, and predict later treatment response. This study will test a neural systems level model that response in LLD is mediated by acute pharmacologically-induced changes in cognitive and affective large scale network.
Depression in older adults is frequently disabling and is often resistant to first-line treatments, requiring more prolonged treatment trials than in younger adults, mainly due to its heterogeneous pathophysiology (e.g. vascular and degenerative brain changes). Currently, there is little neurobiological data to guide changing or augmenting antidepressant medications. Thus, there has been a heightened focus on tailoring treatment to optimize outcome as described in the 2015 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) draft strategic plan (strategy 3.2). While antidepressant clinical response may take up to 8 weeks, recent studies suggest that physiologic changes, as measured with pharmacologic fMRI (phMRI) are seen within 12 hours of starting a new monoaminergic antidepressant (1).
For this proposal, investigators focus on three major Cognitive and Affective Networks (CAN): the Default Mode Network (DMN), the Salience Network (SN) and the Executive Control Network (ECN). The proposed model suggests that monoaminergic engagement leads to core CAN changes, changes that subsequently are related to overall clinical response as well as response in specific symptom clusters such as negative bias, somatizations/anxiety and cognitive control. The same networks that are functionally connected while individuals are at rest, are also selectively engaged during tasks. Investigators' prior work shows that pharmacotherapy - regardless of type of antidepressant used - engages these specific networks at rest and during standard cognitive and affective tasks. Given the role of cerebrovascular disease in LLD treatment response, the moderating role of vascular burden on the proposed association between CAN engagement and treatment response will also be explored.
The University of Pittsburgh will recruit 100 older adults with LLD that will be randomized to receive treatment with either a very specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor (escitalopram) or a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (levomilnacipran). A pair of fMRI scans one day apart will be used to measure functional connectivity (FC) associated with medication titration. Investigators will use a very early (12 hours after initiation of treatment) biomarker of treatment response, which, when validated, would decrease substantially the waiting time between medication changes. Additionally, this study will further increase knowledge of the acute neural system changes associated with monoaminergic antidepressants; this knowledge of mechanism is essential for both guiding LLD treatment research, and serving as an engagement target in LLD treatment research.
Note: The original study design involved randomization to escitalopram or placebo (instead of escitalopram and levomilnacipran). Therefore a subset of participants will complete the study according to this design.
8,055 studies on the registry are indexed under Depression; 1,643 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 57 is below the median of 84 across 6,718 interventional studies indexed under Depression.
Browse Depression studies →This is the only study on the registry with Howard Aizenstein as lead sponsor.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in this arm will receive an initial dose of 5 mg. Further titrations will be decided based on clinical response and tolerability (maximum dose of 20 mg). The medication will be taken by mouth in pill form, once daily.
Drug: Escitalopram Pill
Participants will be given a sugar pill (placebo) to be taken by mouth once daily for the 6 week duration of Phase I. As this arm is also double-blinded, participants will receive an initial dose of 5 mg and further titrations (maximum dose of 20 mg) will be decided based on clinical response and tolerability. Note: This arm no longer applies as of 5/16/18. Participants are now randomly assigned to Lexapro or Fetzima.
Other: Placebo
Participants who were in the placebo arm for Phase I who do not show signs of response to treatment by week 6 (defined as either a MADRS score of greater than 12 or less than a 30% reduction in MADRS score to be deemed a non-responder) will be given the option to have an open-label trial of escitalopram in Phase II. Participants in this arm will receive an initial dose of 5 mg. Further titrations throughout the 6 week duration of Phase 2 (maximum dose of 20 mg) will be decided based on clinical response and tolerability. The medication will be taken by mouth in pill form, once daily. Note: This arm no longer applies as of 5/16/18. Participants are now randomly assigned to Lexapro or Fetzima and the assignment does not change throughout the study.
Drug: Escitalopram Pill
Participants will receive an initial dose of 20 mg blinded levomilnacipran. At day 7, the doses will be titrated to 40 mg of levomilnacipran. Further titrations (maximum dose of 120 mg of levomilnacipran) will be decided based on clinical response and tolerability. The medication will be taken by mouth in pill form, once daily.
Drug: Levomilnacipran Pill
Double-blinded, randomly assigned
Also known as: Lexapro
Double-blinded, randomly assigned
Double-blinded, randomly assigned
Also known as: Fetzima
Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale Score
Treatment response will be defined as either a MADRS score of less than 12 or 30% or greater reduction in MADRS score.
Time frame: Change in Baseline MADRS score through Week 12
Change in Functional Connectivity
The primary analysis will consist of linear mixed effects models with functional connectivity (for each region of interest) as the outcome measure and group (R \[responder\]/NR\[non-responder\], as defined by MADRS), time and their interaction. The results listed are the difference in Baseline to 12 hours after first dose of medication. The values derived by first preprocessing the raw data using SPM and using the AAL3 atlas to parcellate the images into anatomical brain regions. Then the mean residual time series for each region was calculated and the Pearson correlation between the time series of each region was calculated. Then the mean Pearson correlations between every other region with the region identified were calculated and these correlation values were then standardized to have a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. Higher values indicate stronger and better connectivity.
Time frame: Change in Functional Connectivity from Baseline to Day 1
Response Styles Questionnaire- Rumination (RSQ-Rumination)
The Response Styles Questionnaire- Rumination (RSQ-Rumination) examines propensity towards negative bias during thought. To be used as covariate in functional connectivity analysis. Range of scores: 22-88. Lower the better
Time frame: Baseline, Week 1, and Week 12
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS)
The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) is a structured interview to assist in the reliable assessment of anxiety severity by standardizing the method of assessment and providing clear anchor points for the assignment of severity ratings. Examines level of anxiety and somatization. To be used as covariate in functional connectivity analysis. Range of scores: 0-56. Lower the better
Time frame: Baseline, Week 1, and Week 12
Neuropsychological Evaluations
The neuropsychological testing battery, developed by Co-I Meryl Butters, Ph.D., includes components of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Scale (D-KEFS), and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). "dkefs_trail4_scaled_1" is a scaled score for Condition 4 (Number-Letter Switching) of the D-KEFS Trail Making Test, which measures cognitive flexibility and executive functioning. Range 1-19. Higher the better " dkefs_colorword3_scaled_1" is a score from D-KEFS Color-Word Interference. The individual is asked to inhibit an automatic reading response to name the ink color of words that spell out conflicting color names. Range 1-19. Higher the better "rbans_total_index_1" is the total index score from the RBANS, designed to assess various cognitive domains. The total index score is a composite score that provides an overall measure of cognitive functioning by combining the results from all the RBANS subtests. Range 40-155. Higher the better
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Antidepressant Treatment History Questionnaire (ATHF)
Investigators will examine prior treatment history and how this may affect treatment response in this study. Number of participants analyzed are those who have previously had a trial of at least one antidepressant.
Time frame: Baseline
Medication Plasma Levels
Investigators will assess how blood levels of escitalopram and levomilnacipran may affect treatment response. The data was not collected because the Co-Investigator responsible for the analyses left academia and the University of Pittsburgh. No data will ever be produced and there will be no results to report.
Time frame: Weeks 1-12
Age of Onset
Investigators will assess how early vs. late onset depression (e.g., onset before/after age 60) may affect treatment response.
Time frame: Baseline
Duration of Illness
Investigators will assess how length of current episode affect treatment response.
Time frame: Duration of illness at Baseline
| Milestone | Escitalopram Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | 25 | 4 | 6 | 22 |
| Completed | 20 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| Not completed | 5 | 2 | 2 | 13 |
Treatment response will be defined as either a MADRS score of less than 12 or 30% or greater reduction in MADRS score.
| persons with positive treatment response | Escitalopram Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale Score | 18 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
The primary analysis will consist of linear mixed effects models with functional connectivity (for each region of interest) as the outcome measure and group (R \[responder\]/NR\[non-responder\], as defined by MADRS), time and their interaction. The results listed are the difference in Baseline to 12 hours after first dose of medication. The values derived by first preprocessing the raw data using SPM and using the AAL3 atlas to parcellate the images into anatomical brain regions. Then the mean residual time series for each region was calculated and the Pearson correlation between the time series of each region was calculated. Then the mean Pearson correlations between every other region with the region identified were calculated and these correlation values were then standardized to have a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. Higher values indicate stronger and better connectivity.
| Z-score | Escitalopram Pill (R) | Placebo (R) | Escitalopram Pill (R) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (R) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) | Placebo (NR) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (NR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left Middle Frontal Gyrus day 1 difference | 0.059122257 ± 0.970768475 | — | -0.337856865 ± 0.456280057 | -0.682262788 ± 0.394139675 | -0.005553818 ± 0.336358139 | — | -0.577911771 | — |
| Right Middle Frontal Gyrus day 1 difference | 0.090272305 ± 1.047858325 | — | 0.80863611 ± 0.591200619 | -0.064993511 ± 0.942271068 | 1.243841088 ± 0.160518864 | — | -1.315813839 | — |
| Left Anterior Insular day 1 difference | 0.007749148 ± 1.206679758 | — | -0.48413394 ± 1.3756677 | -0.224292239 ± 0.655920209 | -1.553051837 ± 0.638678017 | — | 0.976927111 | — |
| Right Anterior Insular day 1 difference | -0.227766723 ± 1.228475106 | — | -0.23236189 ± 0.616824453 | 0.147147958 ± 0.887236616 | 1.056817365 ± 1.504505678 | — | 0.820792593 | — |
| Left Amygdala day 1 difference | 0.259715101 ± 0.91863688 | — | -0.592134869 ± 1.3814767 | 0.147597427 ± 0.599482713 | -1.33405492 ± 0.601671616 | — | 1.9845321 | — |
| Right Amygdala day 1 difference | -0.443833224 ± 1.739580169 | — | -1.311685475 ± 1.328056717 | 0.548047987 ± 1.379828096 | -0.030660361 ± 0.159008845 | — | 0.964444893 | — |
| Left prefrontal Anterior Cingulate Cortex day 1 difference | 0.048557684 ± 1.079632973 | — | 0.735636432 ± 1.010043826 | -0.003163926 ± 0.783815631 | -0.216753695 ± 0.608987758 | — | -1.215843301 | — |
| Right prefrontal Anterior Cingulate Cortex day 1 difference | 0.206183452 ± 1.994469683 | — | 1.413900498 ± 1.543971432 | 0.131919092 ± 0.80516401 | 0.839416177 ± 2.093317463 | — | -1.637127786 | — |
The Response Styles Questionnaire- Rumination (RSQ-Rumination) examines propensity towards negative bias during thought. To be used as covariate in functional connectivity analysis. Range of scores: 22-88. Lower the better
| RSQ total score | Escitalopram Pill (R) | Placebo (R) | Escitalopram Pill (R) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (R) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) | Placebo (NR) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (NR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | 45.1 ± 11.01 | 39.5 ± 3.54 | 60.7 ± 11.15 | 49.7 ± 8.73 | 67.5 ± .071 | — | 49 | 50 |
| Week 01 | 39 ± 11.08 | 40.5 ± 2.12 | 52.3 ± 16.74 | 40.5 ± 7.23 | 61 ± 9.90 | — | 46 | 51 |
| Week 12 | 33.7 ± 10.39 | 28.5 ± 3.54 | 42.7 ± 8.96 | 40.4 ± 9.87 | 60 ± 1.41 | — | 30 | 67 |
The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) is a structured interview to assist in the reliable assessment of anxiety severity by standardizing the method of assessment and providing clear anchor points for the assignment of severity ratings. Examines level of anxiety and somatization. To be used as covariate in functional connectivity analysis. Range of scores: 0-56. Lower the better
| HARS total score | Escitalopram Pill (R) | Placebo (R) | Escitalopram Pill (R) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (R) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) | Placebo (NR) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (NR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | 19.3 ± 6.66 | 22.5 ± 9.19 | 26.6 ± 3.05 | 21.5 ± 5.26 | 25.5 ± 2.12 | — | 24 | 23 |
| Week 01 | 12.3 ± 6.40 | 19.5 ± 7.78 | 18.3 ± 7.64 | 16.4 ± 4.53 | 21.5 ± 3.54 | — | 17 | 24 |
| Week 12 | 7.5 ± 5.44 | 7 ± 5.66 | 19.7 ± 1.53 | 10.6 ± 8.33 | 18.5 ± 4.95 | — | 20 | 32 |
The neuropsychological testing battery, developed by Co-I Meryl Butters, Ph.D., includes components of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Scale (D-KEFS), and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). "dkefs_trail4_scaled_1" is a scaled score for Condition 4 (Number-Letter Switching) of the D-KEFS Trail Making Test, which measures cognitive flexibility and executive functioning. Range 1-19. Higher the better " dkefs_colorword3_scaled_1" is a score from D-KEFS Color-Word Interference. The individual is asked to inhibit an automatic reading response to name the ink color of words that spell out conflicting color names. Range 1-19. Higher the better "rbans_total_index_1" is the total index score from the RBANS, designed to assess various cognitive domains. The total index score is a composite score that provides an overall measure of cognitive functioning by combining the results from all the RBANS subtests. Range 40-155. Higher the better
| score on a scale | Escitalopram Pill | Levomilnacipran Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dkefs_trail4_scaled_1_Baseline | 11 ± 3.71 | 11 | 8 ± 5.66 | 10.6 ± 3.21 |
| dkefs_trail4_scaled_1_Week12 | 10.8 ± 3.65 | 11 | 9 ± 4.24 | 12.25 ± 1.26 |
| dkefs_colorword3_scaled_1_Baseline | 11 ± 3.26 | 9 | 9 ± 0 | 11 ± 2.00 |
| dkefs_colorword3_scaled_1_Week12 | 11.6 ± 2.50 | 9 | 10.5 ± 0.71 | 10.6 ± 3.58 |
| rbans_total_index_1_Baseline | 97.4 ± 9.21 | 110 | 94 ± 1.41 | 103.2 ± 17.92 |
| rbans_total_index_1_Week12 | 102.9 ± 12.04 | 107 | 102.5 ± 2.12 | 102.6 ± 20.41 |
Investigators will examine prior treatment history and how this may affect treatment response in this study. Number of participants analyzed are those who have previously had a trial of at least one antidepressant.
| Participants | Escitalopram Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antidepressant Treatment History Questionnaire (ATHF) | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Investigators will assess how blood levels of escitalopram and levomilnacipran may affect treatment response. The data was not collected because the Co-Investigator responsible for the analyses left academia and the University of Pittsburgh. No data will ever be produced and there will be no results to report.
No measurements were reported for this outcome.
Investigators will assess how early vs. late onset depression (e.g., onset before/after age 60) may affect treatment response.
| Participants | Escitalopram Pill (R) | Placebo (R) | Escitalopram Pill (R) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (R) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) | Placebo (NR) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (NR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of participants age of onset before age 60 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Number of participants age of onset at or after age 60 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Investigators will assess how length of current episode affect treatment response.
| Participants | Escitalopram Pill (R) | Placebo (R) | Escitalopram Pill (R) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (R) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) | Placebo (NR) | Escitalopram Pill (NR) (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill (NR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of one year or less | 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Duration of more than one year to 10 years | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Duration of more than 10 years | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Collected over 12 weeks. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escitalopram Pill | 0/25 (0%) | 0/25 (0%) | 13/25 (52%) |
| Levomilnacipran Pill | 0/22 (0%) | 0/22 (0%) | 6/22 (27.3%) |
| Placebo | 0/4 (0%) | 0/4 (0%) | 0/4 (0%) |
| Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | 0/6 (0%) | 0/6 (0%) | 4/6 (66.7%) |
| Event | Escitalopram Pill | Levomilnacipran Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| drowsiness or yawningGeneral disorders | 10/25 | 2/22 | 0/4 | 3/6 |
| diarrheaGastrointestinal disorders | 3/25 | 3/22 | 0/4 | 2/6 |
| dry mouthGeneral disorders | 6/25 | 3/22 | 0/4 | 2/6 |
| extrapyramidal symptomsNervous system disorders | 3/25 | 1/22 | 0/4 | 2/6 |
| headacheGeneral disorders | 7/25 | 5/22 | 0/4 | 2/6 |
| increased sleepGeneral disorders | 0/25 | 0/22 | 0/4 | 2/6 |
| insomnia or trouble sleepingGeneral disorders | 8/25 | 4/22 | 0/4 | 2/6 |
| nausea or vomitingGeneral disorders | 6/25 | 5/22 | 0/4 | 2/6 |
| lightheadednessGeneral disorders | 5/25 | 5/22 | 0/4 | 0/6 |
| constipationGastrointestinal disorders | 5/25 | 4/22 | 0/4 | 1/6 |
| Age, Continuous(age at randomzation) | Escitalopram Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 68.13 ± 6.29 | 63.74 ± 3.02 | 64.47 ± 2.17 | 68.43 ± 7.72 | 67.55 ± 6.53 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Escitalopram Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 13 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 31 |
| Male | 12 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 26 |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Escitalopram Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 24 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 56 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Escitalopram Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Black or African American | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| White | 22 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 45 |
| More than one race | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Region of Enrollment(participants) | Escitalopram Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 25 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 57 |
| Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale(units on a scale) | Escitalopram Pill | Placebo | Escitalopram Pill (Phase II) | Levomilnacipran Pill | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 19.43 ± 6.68 | 25.33 ± 5.51 | 23.83 ± 5.19 | 21.94 ± 6.35 | 21.20 ± 6.45 |
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Plan to share: Yes — Individual participant data (IPD) will be shared through the NIMH Data Archive.
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