Prevention of Depression, Enhancing Cognitive Recovery, and Improving Community Participation in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with Duloxetine

Lance E. Trexler, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator) and Nancy Lipson, M.D.

 

The objective of this study is to determine if duloxetine prevents depression and improves cognitive recovery and community participation following TBI. Among a small number of study participants enrolled so far, those who received duloxetine demonstrated consistently better performance on memory tests over the follow-up periods, with the significant differences from placebo at 6 months. The duloxetine group rated themselves consistently better in community involvement scale. The 9 month follow-up comparison also demonstrated that the duloxetine group was superior to placebo. While preliminary, these data suggest that duloxetine may be effective in improving community participation and return to work or school following in TBI.  Results also suggest improved cognitive recovery, particularly with respect to verbal memory and learning capacity. No long-term advantage for the duloxetine group was found in terms of depression, but it was also noteworthy that levels of depression for both groups were remarkably low. Recruitment continues for this double-blind, randomized-controlled study which will ultimately enroll 40 individuals.