Effects on cognitive functioning after olanzapine-ziprasidone crossover in recent-onset schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
To enhance functional outcome in schizophrenia improvement of cognitive symptoms is crucial.


METHODS
Using a comprehensive test battery, this follow-up examines cognitive effects in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia after a change of medication following insufficient clinical response and intolerance.


RESULTS
After eight weeks cognitive outcomes had not improved in the patients having switched from olanzapine to ziprasidone (n=11; mean dose 136 mg) nor in those having switched from ziprasidone to olanzapine (n=10; mean 16 mg), while the symptoms of patients maintaining olanzapine (n=18; mean 10.9 mg) or ziprasidone (n=18; mean 88.9 mg) treatment had not improved further.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that also in early-stage schizophrenia the antipsychotics tested affect cognitive symptoms similarly.
Grootens
K P
KP
CWZ General Hospital Nijmegen, Dept. of Psychiatry, Postbus 9015, 6500 GS Nijmegen, The Netherlands. k.grootens@cwz.nl
van Veelen
N M J
NM
Sitskoorn
M M
MM
Sabbe
B G C
BG
Peuskens
J
J
Buitelaar
J K
JK
Verkes
R J
RJ
Kahn
R S
RS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D057915:Drug Substitution / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D010879:Piperazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C092292:ziprasidone; D000077152:Olanzapine