Effects of biperiden and amantadine on memory in medicated chronic schizophrenic patients. A Double-blind cross-over study.
BACKGROUND
The effects on memory of an anticholinergic (biperiden) and a dopaminergic (amantadine) anti-Parkinsonian agent were compared.


METHODS
Twenty-six chronically medicated schizophrenic (DSM-III-R) in-patients received amantadine (200 mg/day) or biperiden (4 mg/day) for two weeks in a double-blind cross-over design.


RESULTS
Biperiden treatment was associated with significantly lower scores on Benton Visual Retention Test (P < 0.003) and the visual subscale of Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) (P < or = 0.02), with a trend to poorer scores on WMS total (P = 0.086) and the digit span (P = 0.07) and logical memory (P = 0.06) subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
In usual clinical doses, biperiden interferes with memory, particularly visual, more than amantadine.
Silver
H
H
Flugelman (Mazra) Psychiatric Hospital, Israel.
Geraisy
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000547:Amantadine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001712:Biperiden / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D010919:Placebos; D001712:Biperiden; D000547:Amantadine