Both Sertraline and CBT Are Effective for Depression in Patients with Epilepsy

Depression remitted in more than half of patients receiving either sertraline or cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Depression is common in patients with epilepsy, but their treatment is complicated by concerns that antidepressants may increase seizure frequency. Thus, there is a need for studies demonstrating efficacy and safety of antidepressants for this population. Investigators conducted a multicenter, randomized trial comparing 16-week treatment with the antidepressant sertraline or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in 140 patients (mean age, 39.6) with major depression and active epilepsy. Patients received sertraline (50 mg/day, increased weekly to 200 mg/day if inadequate response) or weekly CBT in person or by phone.

The rate of remission from depression (the primary outcome) was similar with either sertraline or CBT (52.8% and 60.3%, respectiv…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook 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)

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Both Sertraline and CBT Are Effective for Depression in Patients with Epilepsy

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Reviewing Author