Escitalopram + Language Therapy for Aphasia

(ELISA Trial)

Recruiting at 3 trial locations

Overseen By Argye Hillis-Trupe, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University

Must not be taking: Antidepressants, MAOIs, Pimozide, others

Disqualifiers: Previous stroke, Schizophrenia, Severe depression, others

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 12 weeks

88 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if escitalopram, a medication commonly used to treat depression, can enhance the effectiveness of language therapy for individuals with aphasia (a language disorder) following a stroke. Researchers are testing whether escitalopram improves the ability to name and describe pictures compared to a placebo. The trial seeks participants who have recently experienced a stroke affecting language, speak English fluently, and have been diagnosed with aphasia. As a Phase 2 trial, this research focuses on assessing the effectiveness of escitalopram in an initial, smaller group, providing participants an opportunity to contribute to significant early findings.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, such as those approved for depression, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), pimozide, and other drugs that prolong the QT/QTc interval. If you are on any of these, you may need to stop them to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that escitalopram, when combined with language therapy, is safe for most people. Studies indicate it is generally well-tolerated, with most side effects being mild and temporary. However, after eight weeks of treatment, the risk of side effects increases slightly by about 3.2%. While this increase is small, it is important to be aware of it.

The FDA has already approved escitalopram for other uses, confirming its safety for those conditions. Therefore, despite the possibility of mild side effects, escitalopram is considered a safe option for aiding language recovery after a stroke. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for aphasia?

Unlike the standard treatment options for aphasia, which often focus solely on speech and language therapy, escitalopram offers a unique approach by potentially enhancing language recovery through its action as an antidepressant. Researchers are excited about escitalopram because it targets brain chemistry, specifically serotonin levels, which could facilitate better communication between brain cells involved in language processing. This dual approach of combining medication with language therapy might accelerate recovery and improve outcomes more effectively than traditional methods alone.

What evidence suggests that escitalopram might be an effective treatment for aphasia?

Research has shown that taking escitalopram along with language therapy might help people with aphasia improve their language skills after a stroke. In this trial, participants will receive either escitalopram or a placebo daily for 90 days. Studies suggest that escitalopram can lead to better naming of unpracticed pictures compared to a placebo. This treatment may aid recovery because escitalopram affects brain function, potentially supporting language recovery. Some reports mention side effects like trouble finding words, but these are rare and usually resolve. Overall, escitalopram appears promising for enhancing language recovery when combined with therapy. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Argye Hillis-Trupe, MD

Principal Investigator

Johns Hopkins University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for right-handed, English-speaking adults who've had a left hemisphere ischemic stroke within the past 5 days and have been diagnosed with aphasia. They must be able to consent or have someone to do it for them. Excluded are those with prior brain diseases, severe visual/hearing loss, depression medication use at stroke onset, pregnancy, certain heart risks or psychiatric conditions affecting language.

Inclusion Criteria

I can make my own medical decisions or have someone who can.

I had a stroke less than 5 days ago.

I have always used my right hand for tasks before getting sick.

Exclusion Criteria

Your heart's electrical activity (measured by ECG) is too slow or you have low sodium levels in your blood at the beginning of the study.

I am not taking MAOIs, pimozide, drugs that affect heart rhythm, or specific migraine medications.

You have uncorrected vision or hearing problems that you know about.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 10 mg escitalopram daily for three months, combined with speech and language treatment (SALT)

12 weeks

Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

8 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Escitalopram

Trial Overview The study tests if Escitalopram (an SSRI) can improve the effectiveness of computer-delivered naming therapy for people with aphasia after a recent stroke. Participants will either receive Escitalopram or a placebo alongside their language therapy sessions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Naming Treatment + Escitalopram Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

10 mg escitalopram daily for three months (escalating from 5 mg per day for the first week and tapering to 5 mg per day for the last two weeks)

Group II: Naming Treatment + Placebo Placebo Group 2 Interventions

10 mg placebo daily for three months

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Johns Hopkins University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,366

Recruited

15,160,000+

University of California, Irvine

Collaborator

Trials

580

Recruited

4,943,000+

Medical University of South Carolina

Collaborator

Trials

994

Recruited

7,408,000+

University of South Carolina

Collaborator

Trials

233

Recruited

122,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Donepezil has been shown to significantly improve various aspects of language function in patients with post-stroke aphasia, including auditory comprehension, naming, repetition, and oral expression, based on a systematic review of 15 studies involving 578 participants.

Memantine also demonstrated efficacy in enhancing naming ability, spontaneous speech, and repetition, although it did not show significant improvement in auditory comprehension, indicating that different pharmacological treatments may have varying effects on language recovery after a stroke.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Efficacy and Safety of Pharmacological Treatments for Post-stroke Aphasia. Zhang, X., Shu, B., Zhang, D., et al.[2019]

A study found a significant gap between the treatment dosage used in research studies for aphasia interventions and what is typically provided in outpatient clinical settings, with research showing a median of 20 hours of treatment compared to only 7.5 hours in practice.

This dosage gap may reduce the effectiveness of aphasia treatments when applied in real-world settings, suggesting a need for future research to focus on aligning clinical practices with evidence-based dosages to improve patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is There a Research-Practice Dosage Gap in Aphasia Rehabilitation? Cavanaugh, R., Kravetz, C., Jarold, L., et al.[2022]

A 3-week Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP) for 46 individuals with poststroke aphasia resulted in significant improvements in language abilities across all four main domains (speaking, writing, auditory comprehension, and reading), with the most notable gains in speaking.

These improvements were not only substantial but also sustained over a 12-week follow-up period, indicating that high-dose therapy can lead to meaningful long-term benefits in both language skills and functional communication.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical Effectiveness of the Queen Square Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Service for Patients With Poststroke Aphasia. Leff, AP., Nightingale, S., Gooding, B., et al.[2022]

In a pooled analysis of three clinical trials involving 506 severely depressed patients, escitalopram was found to be significantly more effective than citalopram, with a greater mean change in depression scores (p = 0.003).

The response rate for escitalopram was also higher at 56% compared to 41% for citalopram (p = 0.007), confirming its superior efficacy in treating severe depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of escitalopram in patients with severe depression: a pooled analysis. Llorca, PM., Azorin, JM., Despiegel, N., et al.[2013]

Escitalopram is an effective treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) with a potentially faster onset of action compared to citalopram, and it is generally well tolerated, with nausea being the most common side effect.

Pharmacoeconomic analyses indicate that escitalopram is more cost-effective than other SSRIs and the SNRI venlafaxine XR, with lower direct costs associated with its use, making it a strong candidate for first-line therapy in MDD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Spotlight on the pharmacoeconomics of escitalopram in depression. Croom, KF., Plosker, GL.[2022]

In a study of 691 geriatric patients, those treated with escitalopram showed better treatment persistence and were less likely to switch medications compared to those on citalopram, indicating escitalopram may be a more reliable option for older adults with major depressive disorder.

Patients on escitalopram experienced significantly fewer hospitalizations and lower total healthcare costs, primarily due to reduced hospitalization rates, suggesting that escitalopram not only helps manage depression effectively but also reduces overall healthcare expenses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of escitalopram versus citalopram for the treatment of major depressive disorder in a geriatric population. Wu, E., Greenberg, PE., Yang, E., et al.[2022]

Escitalopram is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD), showing consistent superiority over citalopram based on pooled clinical trial data.

Preliminary studies indicate that escitalopram's efficacy is comparable to other SSRIs and venlafaxine, with potential cost-effectiveness benefits, making it a strong first-line treatment option for MDD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Spotlight on escitalopram in the management of major depressive disorder. Murdoch, D., Keam, SJ.[2022]

Escitalopram, the active S-enantiomer of citalopram, significantly improves depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to placebo, with effects noticeable as early as 1-2 weeks into treatment, based on several 8-week, randomized, placebo-controlled studies.

The drug has a favorable safety profile, with mild and transient side effects similar to those of placebo, making it a suitable first-line treatment for MDD and potentially beneficial for anxiety disorders as well.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Escitalopram : a review of its use in the management of major depressive and anxiety disorders. Waugh, J., Goa, KL.[2022]

In a study involving 34 adults with chronic post-stroke aphasia, distributed therapy (6 hours per week for 8 weeks) led to significantly greater improvements in language impairment, as measured by the Boston Naming Test, compared to intensive therapy (16 hours per week for 3 weeks).

Both therapy schedules resulted in similar gains in communicative effectiveness, confidence, and quality of life, suggesting that while distributed therapy may be more effective for language impairment, both approaches positively impact overall communication outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intensive Versus Distributed Aphasia Therapy: A Nonrandomized, Parallel-Group, Dosage-Controlled Study. Dignam, J., Copland, D., McKinnon, E., et al.[2016]

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in enhancing language therapy for individuals with post-stroke aphasia, with 88 participants enrolled over four years.

The trial aims to determine if escitalopram improves language outcomes independently of its effects on depression and how factors like lesion location and genetic variations may influence treatment response.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protocol for Escitalopram and Language Intervention for Subacute Aphasia (ELISA): A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Stockbridge, MD., Fridriksson, J., Sen, S., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 72 patients aged 65-78 with chronic brain ischemia and depression, escitalopram was effective in treating depression and reducing the risk of dementia over a 6-month treatment period.

Both low (5 mg) and higher (10 mg) doses of escitalopram were used, showing that the medication can help manage cognitive dysfunction associated with depression in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Comparison of different doses of escitalopram in the prevention of dementia in patients with depression and moderate cognitive dysfunction associated with chronic brain ischemia]. Zhitkova, JV.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8699636/

Protocol for Escitalopram and Language Intervention for ... We hypothesize that, when combined with language therapy, daily escitalopram will result in greater improvement than placebo in an untrained picture naming task ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03843463

Escitalopram and Language Intervention for Subacute ... The investigators hypothesize that daily escitalopram for 90 days after stroke results in greater improvement (compared to placebo) in naming untrained pictures ...

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34941929/

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial We hypothesize that, when combined with language therapy, daily escitalopram will result in greater improvement than placebo in an untrained ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016383431200120X

Escitalopram-induced word finding difficulty Here we are presenting a 50-year-old patient who suffered from escitalopram-induced word finding difficulty and the symptom resolved after replacing with ...

5. cstar.sc.edu cstar.sc.edu/projects/project-2/

Project 2 It is our hope that due to the way in which it alters brain function, it may also improve aphasia recovery, even among those who do not have post-stroke ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3718472/

Escitalopram and Enhancement of Cognitive Recovery ... Stroke patients who received escitalopram showed improvement in global cognitive functioning, specifically in verbal and visual memory functions.

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-18517-6

Effectiveness and safety of escitalopram treatment ... (i) Escitalopram plasma concentration increased the probability for the occurrence of ADRs after week 8 by 3.2% (95% CI: 0.1–6.3%, p = 0.041) (j) ...

8. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-3-aphasia-6-2021-c3669

Escitalopram + Language Therapy for Aphasia (ELISA Trial) The drug has a favorable safety profile, with mild and transient side effects ... The trial aims to determine if escitalopram improves language outcomes ...