Eligible participants were middle-aged or older (ageZ40
years) with a principal diagnosis of MDD, who met diagnostic
criteria for MDD as defined in DSM-IV-TR and had scoresZ16 on
the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17) (Hamilton,
1967). Patients reported subjective cognitive impairment
on memory or concentration, or had scoresr26 on the MiniMental
Status Examination (MMSE) (Folstein et al., 1975) without
subjective cognitive impairment. Exclusion criteria included DSMIV-TR
current or past diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder other
than MDD such as psychotic disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety
disorders, alcohol use disorders and dementia, and neurological
disorders, and clinically serious medical illness. Patients under 40
years were not eligible for the study. Patients were also excluded if
they had a history of non-response or allergic reaction while taking
tianeptine or escitalopram for treatment of MDD. Women of
childbearing potential used effective contraception, with
permission.