Selected ongoing clinical trials (*). (FEATURED CME TOPIC: THE OLDER PATIENT).

DEMENTIA

Please see the July 2001 Southern Medical Journal, Featured CME Topic: Dementia.

DEPRESSION

* BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DEPRESSION AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will measure changes in depressive symptoms over a seven-week period using the pharmacologic agents Paroxatene or Desipramine. Both men and women aged 21 to 69 years with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder are eligible.

Contact: Meyer D. Lifschitz, MD, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX 78229. [phone]. E-mail. [e-mail]

* CONTINUATION ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY VS MEDICATION TO PREVENT RELAPSES IN PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER.

This Phase IV, random allocation, single-blind study will compare the safety and effectiveness of two treatments to prevent relapses in seriously ill patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have responded to electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). Patients will receive continuation electroconvulsive therapy, or they will be treated with antidepressant medications. Both men and women aged 18 to 80 years who have a major depressive disorder that is responsive to acute phase ECT are eligible.

Contact: Charles Kellner, MD, 171 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29425. [phone]. E-mail. [e-mail]

* PREVENTION OF SUICIDE IN THE ELDERLY.

This multicenter study will design a program to prevent suicide in elderly patients by educating patients, their families, and physicians on depression and suicidal thoughts. Both men and women aged 60 years and older with a diagnosis of depression are eligible.

Contact: George Alexapoulos, MD, 21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains, NY 10605. [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]

HEARING IMPAIRMENT

* AUTOIMMUNITY IN INNER EAR DISEASE.

This Phase III, 18-month study will determine whether prednisone, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide are effective in treating rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. Both men and women aged 18 to 70 years who have sensorineural hearing loss of at least 30 dB in each ear are eligible.

Contact: Dr. John Niparho, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 2128 7-0008. [phone]. E-mail:[e-mail]

* MEASUREMENT AND PREDICTION OF OUTCOMES OF AMPLIFICATION.

This Phase II, randomized, open-label study will develop methods where by clinicians can predict both the benefit and the satisfaction that individual hearing-impaired patients will derive from amplification in daily life. Both men and women aged 60 years and older who are hearing-impaired are eligible.

Contact. Robyn Cox, PhD, VAMC, 1030 Jefferson Aye, Memphis, TN 38104. [phone]. Email. [e-mail]

* QUANTIFYING AUDITORY PERCEPTUAL LEARNING FOLLOWING HEARING AID FITTING.

This Phase II, randomized, open-label study will examine and relate physiological, behavioral, and self-perceived changes after a period of hearing aid use as a function of auditory training. Both men and women aged 18 years and older who are hearing impaired are eligible.

Contact: Charles Nelson, MS, VAMC, 7180 Highland Dr Pittsburgh, PA 15206. [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]

OSTEOPOROSIS

Please refer to June 2001 Southern Medical Journal, Featured CME Topic: Osteoporosis.

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

* COMPLICATIONS OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION PREVENTION TRIAL (CAPT).

This Phase III, multicenter, randomized, control study will determine whether application of low-intensity laser treatment to eyes with drusen in the macula can prevent later complications of age-related macular degeneration and thereby preserve visual function. Both men and women aged 50 years and older with vision measurements in each eye of 20/40 or better are eligible.

Contact: Maureen C. Maguire, PhD, Director, 3535 Market St, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309. [phone]

* LUTEIN FOR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

This Phase II study will evaluate the association of varying doses of oral supplementation of lutein with the resulting plasma levels of lutein in people over age 60 who may or may not have age-related macular degeneration. Men and women aged 60 years and older with or without age-related macular degeneration are eligible.

Contact: National Eye Institute, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892. [phone]. Email: [e-mail]

* FLUOCINOLONE IMPLANT TO TREAT MACULAR DEGENERATION.

This Phase I clinical trial will test the safety and effectiveness of a fluocinolone implant to treat age-related macular degeneration. Both men and woman aged 50 years and older with age-related macular degeneration are eligible.

Contact: National Eye Institute, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892. [phone]. Email: [e-mail]

(*.) Prepared by Elaine McClellan-Holm.