Improvement in cognitive functioning in patients with first-episode psychosis during treatment with quetiapine: an interim analysis.
BACKGROUND
The efficacies of second-generation antipsychotic medications in reducing symptoms are reasonably well-documented, but their effects on cognition are less clearly understood.


OBJECTIVE
To under take an interim analysis of an open label, 2-year study examining the effects of quetiapine on cognition in patients with a first episode of schizophrenia and related disorders.


METHODS
Cognitive testing was performed before quetiapine was initiated and repeated after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. To date, 13 patients have been fully assessed (mean dose 517.9 mg/day; s.d. = 225.8).


RESULTS
Statistically significant improvement was noted on measures of attention (Continuous Performance Test; CPT), verbal productivity (Verbal Fluency Test) and executive function (Object Alternation Test) after 6 and 12 months of treatment. For the CPT, improvement was also noted after 3 months of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
During treatment for 1 year with quetiapine, cognitive performance was improved in young patients with psychosis. Continued controlled investigations of the effects of quetiapine on cognition are desirable.
Good
K P
KP
Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Suite 3073-AJLB, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 2E2. kimpgood@is.dal.ca
Kiss
I
I
Buiteman
C
C
Woodley
H
H
Rui
Q
Q
Whitehorn
D
D
Kopala
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013060:Speech / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate