The effects of clozapine and risperidone on spatial working memory in schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of clozapine and risperidone on spatial working memory in patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
Spatial working memory performance was evaluated at baseline and after 17 and 29 weeks in 97 patients with schizophrenia participating in a multisite trial.


RESULTS
Compared with baseline performance while receiving conventional antipsychotic medication, risperidone improved, and clozapine worsened, spatial working memory performance.


CONCLUSIONS
The differential effects of these medications on spatial working memory may be due to the anticholinergic effects of clozapine and prefrontal dopamine-enhancing effects of risperidone.
McGurk
Susan R
SR
Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Pl., New York, NY 10029, USA. susan.r.mcgurk@dartmouth.edu
Carter
Cameron
C
Goldman
Robert
R
Green
Michael F
MF
Marder
Stephen R
SR
Xie
Haiyi
H
Schooler
Nina R
NR
Kane
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D003024:Clozapine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D018967:Risperidone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone