Aβ Dynamics in LLMD

This study will examine the biological factors that may modulate the relationship between depression and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since the direction of causation between depression and the biological factors associated with AD is unknown, the only way to understand cause and associated risk is to treat the depressive symptoms and examine the effects on AD biomarkers. The study involves an FDA-approved treatment for major depressive disorder. It will compare the SSRI antidepressant escitalopram with placebo. The hypothesis is that a reduction in depressive symptoms will be associated with a normalization of CSF AD biomarkers as well as peripheral inflammatory markers. This research would contribute to fundamental knowledge about potentially modifiable risks of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

NCT Number	NCT05004987
Lead Sponsor	NYU Langone Health Collaborators: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Conditions	Alzheimer Disease, Major Depressive Disorder
Enrollment	60 participants
Start Date	2022-02-04
Primary Completion	2026-12-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-06-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-06