An antidepressant improves memory in nondepressed poststroke patients.
Poststroke depression is common and responds to and can even be prevented by antidepressants, which can also improve motor and cognitive outcomes and activities of daily living. These researchers analyzed the effects of escitalopram on cognitive functioning in 129 stroke patients who had participated in a larger, 1-year study on the prevention of poststroke depression. Participants (age range, 50–90 years) were excluded if they had depression, a comprehension deficit, or impaired decision making. They were randomized within 3 months of stroke to receive escitalopram (10 mg), placebo, or problem-solving therapy.
After adjustment for covariates, including baseline scores and age, the escitalopram group showed significantly greater improvement …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)