Study of Brain Response to Emotional Pictures Using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) While on Escitalopram

Exclusion Criteria

• •Meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, atypical psychosis, mental retardation, or organic mental (including organic mood) disorder.
• •On monoamine oxidase inhibitors in the past 2 weeks.
• •History of narrow angle glaucoma.
• •Lack of response of the current episode of depression to two or more adequate courses of antidepressant therapy at a clinically appropriate dose for a minimum of 4 weeks or, in the judgment of the investigator, the patient meets criteria for treatment-resistant depression.
• •Use of neuroleptic in the past 2 weeks.
• •Use of antidepressants in the past 2 weeks. If on fluoxetine in the past, then should not have been on this medication for 4 weeks.
• •Use of mood stabilizers in the past 2 weeks.
• •Use of benzodiazepines in the past 2 weeks.
• •Acutely suicidal or homicidal or requiring inpatient treatment.
• •Meeting DSM-IV criteria for other substance dependence within the past year, except caffeine or nicotine. The criteria will be evaluated by interview and urinary toxicology screening initially and on test days.
• •Use of alcohol in the past 1 week.
• •No serious medical or neurological illness as assessed by physical examination and laboratory examination including CBC and blood chemistry.
• •Current pregnancy or breast-feeding.
• •Metallic implants.
• •Previously known positive HIV blood test as reported by the subject.