The effects of clozapine on cognitive functioning in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients.
This study examined the cognitive functioning of 10 treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients after a minimum of a 1-year trial on clozapine. Results indicated significant improvements on prorated Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) Full Scale, Verbal, and Performance IQs and on the WAIS-R Similarities and Digit Symbol subtests. A trend was also found for improvement on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. It was concluded that clozapine treatment is associated with global cognitive improvements in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Clozapine treatment may also improve performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in a subset of patients. Improvement did not appear to be related to the reduction of any cognitive effects of the typical neuroleptics upon their discontinuation.
Fujii
D E
DE
Department of Neuropsychology, Hawaii State Hospital, Kaneohe 96744, USA.
Ahmed
I
I
Jokumsen
M
M
Compton
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine