Section - Quick Takes

03. A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Combined Escitalopram and Memantine for Older Adults With Major Depression and Subjective Memory Complaints

Published on July 1, 2020 Expired on April 1, 2023

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

Adding memantine to escitalopram for older patients with both depression and memory problems did not help improve depression outcomes. But by 12 months, it did appear to improve memory outcomes. Take this as a very preliminary finding, for reasons discussed herein.

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Your new patient is a 72-year-old woman with depression, who also describes problems with her memory. If you use an SRI, should you add a memory-specific treatment, like memantine? In this Quick Take, we will look at a randomized trial that investigates this question, the use of a memory-specific treatment in addition to an SRI for a depressed woman with memory problems. They better have some compelling results to justify adding memantine at the outset of treatment instead of just waiting to see what the SRI alone would do.

In the discussion in the article, the authors note, “detection of improvement in cognitive function may require follow-up of 12 months or longer.” That was almost enough to make me stop right there, having to wait that long to see if something that I did is working. So, let’s see if there are any more limitations in this study before we

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04. Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Treating Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Reassess the role of antidepressants in the treatment of bipolar depression in light of a new review and new data suggesting that antidepressants could induce treatment resistance.
Compare current treatment options for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
Evaluate a randomized trial which purports to show memantine improved memory outcomes in older patients with depression when used as an adjunct to escitalopram.
Examine the literature on the use of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Evaluate recent and older data on the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia.

Original Release Date: July 1, 2020

Review and Re-release Date: March 1, 2023

Expiration Date: April 1, 2023

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

James Phelps declares the following interests:

- McGraw-Hill: book on bipolar disorder

- W.W. Norton & Co.: book on bipolar disorder

All of the relevant financial relationships listed above have been mitigated by Medical Academy and the Psychopharmacology Institute.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:

Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Answer the quiz for promoting retention of knowledge.
Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
Download your certificate.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.