Adding an Antihistamine to Improve Outcomes in Depression

​Principal Investigator: Dr. Olusola Ajilore

Disease: Geriatric Depression

Research Description: ​Geriatric depression, or later-life depression (LLD) is a type of depression that affects people 60 years old or older and is associated with poor treatment response, higher rates of recurrence, and risk of cognitive decline. Novel treatments for LLD are desperately needed to address these issues in the short term and to prevent any increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in the long term. The brain’s “white matter” is a network of nerve fibers, and reduction or damage to white matter is associated with treatment resistance and cognitive issues in LLD. A recent study suggested that clemastine, an approved antihistamine, may help the brain repair its white matter. This randomized, double-blind, controlled, Phase IIA trial will determine if clemastine improves white matter in LLD patients and helps standard-of-care antidepressants work better: reducing depressive symptoms and improving memory and thinking. The research team’s goals include focusing enrollment efforts on minority patients who are typically underrepresented in LLD clinical trials.

Funding Partners: The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, Walder Foundation, Burroughs Wellcome Fund and others

CWR Funding Role: Primary