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Citalopram to Enhance Cognition in HD

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study in Huntington's Disease (CIT-HD)

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00271596
Acronym
CIT-HD
Enrollment
33
Registered
2006-01-02
Start date
2005-11-30
Completion date
2011-11-30
Last updated
2013-03-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chorea, Executive Dysfunction, Huntington Disease

Keywords

Huntington Disease, Citalopram, Celexa, Chorea, Focus, ADD, ADHD, HD, SSRI

Brief summary

This research plan proposes to conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial in 36 adults with mild Huntington's disease (HD) to address the following research aims: 1. To determine the effect of citalopram compared to placebo in patients with early HD on executive function and other outcome variables including functional measures (health-related quality of life, work productivity, and self-reported attention), motor performance, and psychiatric status, 2. To study the relationship between executive function and functional status in patients with early HD after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment, and 3. To examine the effect of citalopram treatment on volumetric and metabolic (i.e, N-acetyl-aspartate concentration) measures in the neostriatum among patients with recently diagnosed Huntington's disease.

Detailed description

Specific Aims: 1. To examine the effects of sixteen weeks of treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram compared to placebo on executive function in patients with early Huntington's disease (HD). 2. To study the relationship between executive function and functional status in patients with early HD after SSRI treatment. 3. To determine the effect of sixteen weeks of citalopram compared to placebo on other outcome variables including functional measures (health-related quality of life, work productivity, and self-reported attention), motor performance, and psychiatric status. 4. To examine the effect of citalopram treatment on volumetric and metabolic (i.e, N-Acetyl-Aspartate concentration) measures in the neostriatum among patients with recently diagnosed Huntington's Disease. Main Hypotheses: 1. At the end of the treatment protocol, patients receiving citalopram as compared with placebo will show a significantly greater improvement on tests of executive function. 2. Performance on measures of executive function will be significantly associated with measures of functional status. 3. At the end of the treatment protocol, patients receiving citalopram as compared with placebo will show a significantly greater improvement in functional status and psychiatric ratings; motor score is not expected to change as a result of citalopram therapy. 4. Using structural MRI and occipital proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), after treatment, patients with recently diagnosed Huntington's Disease will show greater changes from baseline on volumetric and metabolic (i.e., N-Acetyl-Aspartate concentration) neuroimaging measures in the neostriatum than those on placebo.

Interventions

DRUG20mg daily citalopram

a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment administered over 16 weeks

DRUGPlacebo

a daily matching placebo administered over 16 weeks

Sponsors

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
CollaboratorNIH
Cure Huntington's Disease Initiative (CHDI)
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
University of Rochester
CollaboratorOTHER
Mayo Clinic
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Iowa
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Gene positive HD test (or, if untested, an HD diagnosis) with some abnormal motor signs (i.e., diagnostic confidence level of greater than or equal to 1 as measured by the UHDRS). * Aged between 18 and 75 * Ability to provide written informed consent * Mild stage HD (Shoulson and Fahn Scale Stage 1 or 2) * Mild executive dysfunction: Participants must have complaints of poor cognition, mild functional decline, or demonstrate objective evidence of decline from their premorbid level * Participants are able to complete all study assessments

Exclusion criteria

* Age under 18 or greater than 75 * Current major depression deemed significant by the investigator at the screening visit or current suicidal ideation. * Any unstable or severe psychiatric disease including diagnoses of schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, dementia, delirium, severe anxiety and/or substance abuse/dependence. * Current use of an SSRI or other treatment for depression (e.g., use of an MAOI) or treatment with an SSRI within the past 14 days. * Current use of St. John's wort within the past 14 days. * To ensure performance on cognitive measures are not affected by specific concomitant medications, participants taking methylphenidate, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, atomoxetine, an acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor, an atypical antipsychotic, kava kava, Ginkgo Biloba, or an anxiolytic drug may be excluded unless their dose and dosing frequency have remained stable for 30 days prior to receiving study drug. Continued participation also requires the dose and dosing frequency remain stable throughout the study. * Patients who are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant during the study. * Patients who are unable to participate in the study assessments (cognitive, functional, psychiatric and motor scales) due to cognitive, motor, or sensory impairments (i.e., significant vision or hearing deficits). * Other serious medical conditions such as cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease; head injury deemed clinically significant by the PI; neurological disorder or insult other than HD. * Learning disability or other medical condition that is likely to affect cognitive function; history of symptoms indicative of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood; or a diagnosis of ADHD. It is important to note that participants who are unable to receive an MRI scan may still participate in this study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Executive Function Composite Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort.after 15 weeks of treatmentFull Scale Name: The Executive Composite Score (ECS). Definition: Subscales were averaged to compute this composite total score. The ECS is the weighted average of performance on 6 subtests of executive function, including (1) the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, (2) Symbol Digit Modalities test; (3) Stroop Color Word Test (Interference Trial), (4) Trail Making test (Part B), (5) Letter-Number Sequencing, and (6) Animal Naming. Construct Measured: Thinking tasks involving planning, working memory, attention, problem solving, verbal reasoning, inhibition, mental flexibility, and task switching. ECS Scale Range: The ECS score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance on executive functioning tasks. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in executive functioning performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) & 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Semantic Fluency Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohortafter 15 weeks of treatmentSemantic Fluency Score. Definition: The Semantic Fluency Score is the number of words a person can produce given a category, including naming (1) Animal names, (2) Fruit names, (3) Boy names, (4) Girl names, and (5) Vegetable names. Construct Measured: Working memory and verbal initiation. Scale Range: The Semantic Fluency Score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance on working memory tasks. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in working memory performance from visit 2 (week 0) where patients named fruit names to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) & 6 (week 15) where patients named girl names and vegetable names respectively for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.
Symbol-Digit Modalities Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohortafter 15 weeks of treatmentFull Scale Name: The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Definition: The SDMT screens for organic cerebral dysfunction by having the examinee use a reference key to pair specific numbers with given geometric figures in 90 seconds. Construct Measured: Attention, processing speed, and working memory. SDMT Scale Range: Raw scores may range from 0 to 110, where lower scores indicate poorer performance. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) & 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.
Verbal Fluency Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohortafter 15 weeks of treatmentFull Scale Name: The Verbal Fluency Score (VFC). Definition: The VFC is the number of words a person can produce given a letter, including (1) Naming words that start with F, A, and S; (2) naming words that start with K, W, and R; (3) naming words that start with V, I, and P; (4) naming words that start with O, G, and B; (5) naming words that start with E, N, and T; and (6) naming words that start with J, C, and S. Construct Measured: Verbal initiation and flexibility. Scale Range: The Verbal Fluency Composite Score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in verbal initiation and flexibility from visit 2 (week 0) where patients named words starting with O, G, and B to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) and 6 (week 15) where patients named words starting with E, N, and T, and J, C, and S respectively for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.
Stroop Interference Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohortafter 15 weeks of treatmentFull Scale Name: Stroop Interference subtest from The Stroop Color and Word Test. Definition: Participants are asked to name the ink color in which a word is printed when the word itself (which is irrelevant to the task) is the name of a different color rather than the same color. For example, participants may be asked to say red to the word blue printed in red ink. Constructs Measured: Selective attention, response inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed. Scale Range: The Stroop Interference score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in attention and processing speed performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) and 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.
Letter Number Sequencing Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohortafter 15 weeks of treatmentFull Scale Name: Letter Number Sequencing (LNS) subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) third edition. Definition: LNS is a task that requires the reordering of an initially unordered set of letters and numbers. Construct Measured: Working memory. LNS Score Range: Raw scores may range from 0 to 21, where lower scores indicate poorer performance in working memory. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in working memory performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) & 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Comparing Screening (Intake Visit) to Visit 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohortafter 15 weeks of treatmentFull Scale Name: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Definition: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression is a clinician-administered multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression. Construct Measured: Depression. HAM-D Score Range: Raw scores may range from 0 to 54, where higher scores indicate worsening mood. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in mood from screening (intake visit) to visit 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.
Total Functional Capacity Score Comparing Baseline (Week -4) to Visits 4 (Week 6) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohortafter 15 weeks of treatmentFull Scale Name: The Total Functional Capacity (TFC) subscale from the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). Definition: The TFC is a score that classifies five stages of Huntington's Disease and five levels of function in the domains of workplace, finances, domestic chores, activities of daily living and requirements for unskilled or skilled care. Construct Measured: Activities of Daily Living. Scale Range: The TFC score ranges from 0 to 13, where lower scores indicate poorer performance in activities of daily living. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in TFC performance from Baseline (week -4) to the weighted average of visits 4 (week 6) and 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.
Subgroup Analysis of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Comparing Screening (Intake Visit) to Visit 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohortafter 15 weeks of treatmentFull Scale Name: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Definition: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression is a clinician-administered multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression. Construct Measured: Depression. HAM-D Score Range: Raw scores may range from 0 to 54, where higher scores indicate worsening mood. Change Calculation Details: This analysis was restricted to a subgroup and, accordingly, does not reflect the total number of participants as reported in the Participant Flow. This analysis compares change in mood from screening (intake visit) to visit 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.
Trails B Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohortafter 15 weeks of treatmentFull Scale Name: Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B). Definition: The TMT-B test requires participants to connect-the-dots of 25 consecutive targets on a sheet of paper where the subject alternates between numbers and letters, going in both numerical and alphabetical order. Constructs Measured: Attention, set shifting, and processing speed. Scale range: The TMT-B score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in attention and processing speed performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) and 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Thirty-six individuals were screened and 33 participants were randomized between May 2007 and April 2011 Participants were recruited using advertisements, by speaking at HD events, through local clinics and through two HD registries: The University of Iowa HD registry and the National HD Research Roster (Indiana).

Pre-assignment details

Following the baseline visit, participants completed a study visit (i.e., Visit 01) after 2 weeks in order to wash-out practice effects on primary outcome measures. To further control for practice effects, participants received placebo for 14 days prior to randomization (i.e., using a placebo run-in design).

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Citalopram
20mg daily citalopram
17
Placebo
Matching daily placebo
16
Total33

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyProtocol Violation10
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject01

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicCitalopramPlaceboTotal
Age Continuous
Age
47.33 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.61
45.13 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.59
46.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.9
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants7 Participants15 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
9 Participants9 Participants18 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
6 / 173 / 16
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 172 / 16

Outcome results

Primary

Executive Function Composite Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort.

Full Scale Name: The Executive Composite Score (ECS). Definition: Subscales were averaged to compute this composite total score. The ECS is the weighted average of performance on 6 subtests of executive function, including (1) the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, (2) Symbol Digit Modalities test; (3) Stroop Color Word Test (Interference Trial), (4) Trail Making test (Part B), (5) Letter-Number Sequencing, and (6) Animal Naming. Construct Measured: Thinking tasks involving planning, working memory, attention, problem solving, verbal reasoning, inhibition, mental flexibility, and task switching. ECS Scale Range: The ECS score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance on executive functioning tasks. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in executive functioning performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) & 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: Intention to treat analysis was performed using a mixed linear model controlling for practice effects comparing visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) \& 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramExecutive Function Composite Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort.0.005 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.067
PlaceboExecutive Function Composite Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort.0.172 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.071
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.09295% CI: [-0.361, 0.028]2-tailed linear treatment contrast
Secondary

Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Comparing Screening (Intake Visit) to Visit 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort

Full Scale Name: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Definition: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression is a clinician-administered multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression. Construct Measured: Depression. HAM-D Score Range: Raw scores may range from 0 to 54, where higher scores indicate worsening mood. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in mood from screening (intake visit) to visit 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: Intention to treat analysis was performed using a mixed linear model comparing screening (intake visit) to Visit 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramHamilton Rating Scale for Depression Comparing Screening (Intake Visit) to Visit 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort-0.67 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.76
PlaceboHamilton Rating Scale for Depression Comparing Screening (Intake Visit) to Visit 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort1.23 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.89
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.1295% CI: [-4.3, 0.5]2-tailed linear treatment contrast
Secondary

Letter Number Sequencing Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort

Full Scale Name: Letter Number Sequencing (LNS) subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) third edition. Definition: LNS is a task that requires the reordering of an initially unordered set of letters and numbers. Construct Measured: Working memory. LNS Score Range: Raw scores may range from 0 to 21, where lower scores indicate poorer performance in working memory. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in working memory performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) & 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: Intention to treat analysis was performed using a mixed linear model controlling for practice effects comparing visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) \& 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramLetter Number Sequencing Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort-0.113 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.113
PlaceboLetter Number Sequencing Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort0.225 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.124
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.04895% CI: [-0.672, -0.003]2-tailed linear treatment contrast
Secondary

Semantic Fluency Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort

Semantic Fluency Score. Definition: The Semantic Fluency Score is the number of words a person can produce given a category, including naming (1) Animal names, (2) Fruit names, (3) Boy names, (4) Girl names, and (5) Vegetable names. Construct Measured: Working memory and verbal initiation. Scale Range: The Semantic Fluency Score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance on working memory tasks. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in working memory performance from visit 2 (week 0) where patients named fruit names to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) & 6 (week 15) where patients named girl names and vegetable names respectively for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: Intention to treat analysis was performed using a mixed linear model controlling for practice effects comparing visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) \& 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramSemantic Fluency Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort0.386 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.192
PlaceboSemantic Fluency Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort0.664 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.187
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.30295% CI: [-0.81, 0.254]2-tailed linear treatment contrast
Secondary

Stroop Interference Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort

Full Scale Name: Stroop Interference subtest from The Stroop Color and Word Test. Definition: Participants are asked to name the ink color in which a word is printed when the word itself (which is irrelevant to the task) is the name of a different color rather than the same color. For example, participants may be asked to say red to the word blue printed in red ink. Constructs Measured: Selective attention, response inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed. Scale Range: The Stroop Interference score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in attention and processing speed performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) and 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: Intention to treat analysis was performed using a mixed linear model controlling for practice effects comparing visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) \& 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramStroop Interference Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort-0.256 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.122
PlaceboStroop Interference Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort-0.046 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.123
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.2395% CI: [-0.554, 0.135]2-tailed linear treatment contrast
Secondary

Subgroup Analysis of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Comparing Screening (Intake Visit) to Visit 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort

Full Scale Name: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Definition: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression is a clinician-administered multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression. Construct Measured: Depression. HAM-D Score Range: Raw scores may range from 0 to 54, where higher scores indicate worsening mood. Change Calculation Details: This analysis was restricted to a subgroup and, accordingly, does not reflect the total number of participants as reported in the Participant Flow. This analysis compares change in mood from screening (intake visit) to visit 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: This analysis was restricted to a subgroup and, accordingly, does not reflect the total number of participants as reported in the Participant Flow. This analysis compares change in mood from screening (intake visit) to visit 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramSubgroup Analysis of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Comparing Screening (Intake Visit) to Visit 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort-0.10 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.85
PlaceboSubgroup Analysis of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Comparing Screening (Intake Visit) to Visit 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort1.50 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.9
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.0595% CI: [-5.04, 0.04]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Symbol-Digit Modalities Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort

Full Scale Name: The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Definition: The SDMT screens for organic cerebral dysfunction by having the examinee use a reference key to pair specific numbers with given geometric figures in 90 seconds. Construct Measured: Attention, processing speed, and working memory. SDMT Scale Range: Raw scores may range from 0 to 110, where lower scores indicate poorer performance. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) & 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: Intention to treat analysis was performed using a mixed linear model controlling for practice effects comparing visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) \& 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramSymbol-Digit Modalities Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort-0.227 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.113
PlaceboSymbol-Digit Modalities Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort-0.170 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.103
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.70895% CI: [-0.361, 0.246]2-tailed linear treatment contrast
Secondary

Total Functional Capacity Score Comparing Baseline (Week -4) to Visits 4 (Week 6) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort

Full Scale Name: The Total Functional Capacity (TFC) subscale from the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). Definition: The TFC is a score that classifies five stages of Huntington's Disease and five levels of function in the domains of workplace, finances, domestic chores, activities of daily living and requirements for unskilled or skilled care. Construct Measured: Activities of Daily Living. Scale Range: The TFC score ranges from 0 to 13, where lower scores indicate poorer performance in activities of daily living. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in TFC performance from Baseline (week -4) to the weighted average of visits 4 (week 6) and 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: Intention to treat analysis was performed using a mixed linear model comparing baseline (week -4) to the weighted average of Visits 4 (week 6) \& 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramTotal Functional Capacity Score Comparing Baseline (Week -4) to Visits 4 (Week 6) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort-0.54 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.46
PlaceboTotal Functional Capacity Score Comparing Baseline (Week -4) to Visits 4 (Week 6) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort-0.06 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.5
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.4995% CI: [-1.87, 0.91]2-tailed linear treatment contrast
Secondary

Trails B Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort

Full Scale Name: Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B). Definition: The TMT-B test requires participants to connect-the-dots of 25 consecutive targets on a sheet of paper where the subject alternates between numbers and letters, going in both numerical and alphabetical order. Constructs Measured: Attention, set shifting, and processing speed. Scale range: The TMT-B score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in attention and processing speed performance from visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) and 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: Intention to treat analysis was performed using a mixed linear model controlling for practice effects comparing visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) \& 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramTrails B Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort0.087 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.273
PlaceboTrails B Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort0.405 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.397
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.51295% CI: [-1.276, 0.642]2-tailed linear treatment contrast
Secondary

Verbal Fluency Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort

Full Scale Name: The Verbal Fluency Score (VFC). Definition: The VFC is the number of words a person can produce given a letter, including (1) Naming words that start with F, A, and S; (2) naming words that start with K, W, and R; (3) naming words that start with V, I, and P; (4) naming words that start with O, G, and B; (5) naming words that start with E, N, and T; and (6) naming words that start with J, C, and S. Construct Measured: Verbal initiation and flexibility. Scale Range: The Verbal Fluency Composite Score ranges from -5 to +5 on a standardized (Z) score scale, where lower scores indicate poorer performance. Change Calculation Details: Compares change in verbal initiation and flexibility from visit 2 (week 0) where patients named words starting with O, G, and B to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) and 6 (week 15) where patients named words starting with E, N, and T, and J, C, and S respectively for the citalopram versus placebo cohort.

Time frame: after 15 weeks of treatment

Population: Intention to treat analysis was performed using a mixed linear model controlling for practice effects comparing visit 2 (week 0) to the weighted average of visits 5 (week 12) \& 6 (week 15) for the citalopram versus placebo cohort

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
CitalopramVerbal Fluency Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort0.140 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.109
PlaceboVerbal Fluency Score Comparing Visit 2 (Week 0) to Visits 5 (Week 12) & 6 (Week 15) for the Citalopram Cohort Versus Placebo Cohort0.071 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.103
Comparison: Mixed linear model with treatment-group-specific random subject effects: Predefined 2-tailed linear treatment contrast of intention-to-treat, with Kenward-Rogers correction (t statistic).p-value: 0.64695% CI: [-0.229, 0.367]2-tailed linear treatment contrast

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026