Change in cognitive functioning following acute antidepressant treatment in late-life depression.
OBJECTIVE
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed medications for geriatric depression. The association of late-life depression and cognitive impairment has been well documented. However, there have been few placebo-controlled trials examining the impact of SSRIs on cognitive functioning.


METHODS
Prepost neuropsychological (NP) data collected as part of an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of citalopram in depressed patients aged 75 years and older were used to examine change in cognitive functioning.


METHODS
University-affiliated outpatient psychiatry clinics.


METHODS
One hundred seventy-four community-dwelling men and women aged 75 years or older with nonpsychotic unipolar depression.


METHODS
NP assessments included mental status (Mini-Mental State Examination), psychomotor speed (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III Digit Symbol Subtest), reaction time (Choice Reaction Time), visual-spatial skill (Judgment of Line Orientation), executive functioning (Stroop Color/Word Test), and memory (Buschke Selective Reminding Test).


RESULTS
Differences in the pattern of change by treatment group depended on responder status. Citalopram nonresponders were the only group to decline on verbal learning and psychomotor speed. Citalopram responders showed significant improvement in visuospatial functioning, when compared with nonresponders in either condition, but their improvement was not greater than responders on placebo. Citalopram responders showed greater improvement on psychomotor speed than citalopram nonresponders, but their improvement was not greater than placebo responders or nonresponders.


CONCLUSIONS
Medication may have a deleterious effect on some aspects of cognition among patients aged 75 years and older who have not responded. This suggests that patients should not be maintained on a medication if they have not had an adequate response.
Culang
Michelle E
ME
Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, USA. michelle.culang@qc.cuny.edu
Sneed
Joel R
JR
Keilp
John G
JG
Rutherford
Bret R
BR
Pelton
Gregory H
GH
Devanand
D P
DP
Roose
Steven P
SP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors