Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
04:38
A Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Technique for Inducing Post-stroke Depression in Rats
Published on: May 22, 2019
Prevention of poststroke apathy using escitalopram or problem-solving therapy.
Katsunaka Mikami1, Ricardo E Jorge, David J Moser
1Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, IA; Department of Psychiatry, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
Summary
Escitalopram and problem-solving therapy (PST) effectively prevent post-stroke apathy compared to placebo. These interventions offer hope for improved recovery in stroke survivors experiencing apathy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Apathy is a common post-stroke complication impacting recovery.
- Prior research indicates a negative correlation between apathy and stroke recovery outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of escitalopram, problem-solving therapy (PST), and placebo in preventing new-onset apathy in recent stroke patients.
- To analyze the long-term (1-year) effects of these interventions on apathy development.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 154 stroke patients without prior depression or major comorbidities.
- Participants received escitalopram, placebo, or non-blinded PST for 1 year.
- Apathy onset and severity were assessed using the Apathy Scale at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- Patients receiving placebo were 3.47 times more likely to develop apathy than those on escitalopram.
- Placebo recipients were 1.84 times more likely to develop apathy than those undergoing PST.
- These findings remained significant after controlling for age, sex, cognitive impairment, and diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Both escitalopram and PST demonstrated significant efficacy in preventing the onset of apathy post-stroke.
- These interventions represent viable therapeutic options for managing and preventing apathy in stroke survivors.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...