Brain Effects of Escitalopram and Citalopram Using fMRI

Summary

Escitalopram (Lexapro) and citalopram (Celexa) are similar selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that alter blood flow to the amygdala and other brain structures involved in regulating mood. Escitalopram consists of S-citalopram while citalopram contains both S-citalopram and R-citalopram (racemic citalopram). There is evidence that R-citalopram may block the effects of S-citalopram. The hypothesis being tested is that because of the antagonist effect of R-citalopram, S-citalopram will have a greater effect on the mood circuit than racemic citalopram when equal doses of S-citalopram are administered. The study design consists of a two week medication period followed by blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while viewing affective visual stimuli.

Timeline

Start

2007-05

Primary completion

2011-04

Completion

2011-04

Publications

• Background Windischberger C, Lanzenberger R, Holik A, Spindelegger C, Stein P, Moser U, Gerstl F, Fink M, Moser E, Kasper S. Area-specific modulation of neural activation comparing escitalopram and citalopram revealed by pharmaco-fMRI: a randomized cross-over study. Neuroimage. 2010 Jan 15;49(2):1161-70. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.10.013. Epub 2009 Oct 13.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.