Serotonergic Pharmacotherapy for Agitation of Dementia
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2002-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed dose study currently
being conducted on two geropsychiatric units at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. It
seeks to evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of citalopram and perphenazine in the
treatment of 112 patients suffering from behavioral disturbances associated with dementia.
Findings from this research may directly lead to improved acute pharmacotherapy for psychosis
and behavioral problems in patients diagnosed with dementia. Improved treatment of behavioral
complications with reduced side effects would reduce excess disability in patients diagnosed
with dementia, allowing them to be maintained in the community for greater periods of time.