An open pilot study of citalopram for behavioral disturbances of dementia. Plasma levels and real-time observations.

Abstract

Citalopram, in European studies, has shown some early promise for treatment of poststroke depression and behavioral complications of dementia. An open pilot study of citalopram was conducted in 16 patients with dementia and behavioral disturbances. Citalopram was well tolerated by 13 of the patients, and 9 had a clinically impressive response. A significant overall mean reduction in disruptive vocalizations was observed by means of a novel technique of computer-assisted real-time observation. The mean citalopram plasma level-to-dose ratio was found to be twice that previously reported in younger patients. These pilot findings should encourage future placebo concentration-controlled trials.

• Authors: B G Pollock, B H Mulsant, R Sweet, L D Burgio, M A Kirshner, K Shuster, J Rosen
• Journal: The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry) Vol. 5 Issue 1 Pg. 70-8 ( 1997) ISSN: 1064-7481 [Print] England
• PMID: 9169247 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Citalopram

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aggression (drug effects)
• Alzheimer Disease (blood, drug therapy, psychology)
• Biological Availability
• Citalopram (administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Psychomotor Agitation (blood, drug therapy, psychology)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics)
• Social Behavior Disorders (blood, drug therapy, psychology)
• Social Environment
• Verbal Behavior