title: Open, randomized trial of the effects of aripiprazole versus risperidone on social cognition in schizophrenia.
abstract: To date, only few studies have examined the impact of medication on social cognition and none have examined the effects of aripiprazole in this respect. The goal of this 8-week, randomized, multicenter, open-label study was to examine the effects of aripiprazole and risperidone on social cognition and neurocognition in individuals with schizophrenia. Eighty schizophrenia patients (DSM-IV-TR) aged 16-50 years were administered multiple computerized measures of social cognition and neurocognition including reaction times at baseline and the end of week 8. Social functioning was mapped with the Social Functioning scale and Quality of Life scale. The study ran from June 2005 to March 2011. Scores on social cognitive and neurocognitive tests improved with both treatments, as did reaction time. There were few differences between the two antipsychotics on (social) cognitive test-scores. The aripiprazole group performed better (more correct items) on symbol substitution (P=.003). Aripiprazole was also superior to risperidone on reaction time for emotional working memory and working memory (P=.006 and P=.023, respectively). Improvements on these tests were correlated with social functioning. In conclusion, aripiprazole and risperidone showed a similar impact on social cognitive test-scores. However, aripiprazole treatment produced a greater effect on patients' processing speed compared to risperidone, with these improvements being associated with concurrent improvements in social functioning. Further research on the long-term effects of aripiprazole on cognition is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Huispostnummer A 00.241, Postbus 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.maat@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: Arija
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maat
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Huispostnummer A 00.241, Postbus 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wiepke
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cahn
authors.affiliation: Pro Persona Mental Health Care, Expertise Center for Psychosis, UMC St Radboud, Huispostnummer 958, Postbus 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Harm J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gijsman
authors.affiliation: DeltaBouman Psychiatric Teaching Hospital, Poortugaal, Delta Psychiatrisch Centrum, Afdeling Dorpsblik, Postbus 800, 3170 DZ Poortugaal, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johannes E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hovens
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Huispostnummer A 00.241, Postbus 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: René S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Faculteit Medische Wetenschappen/UMCG, A Deusinglaan 2, 9718 AW Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aleman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068180:Aripiprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D056348:Emotional Intelligence / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D018967:Risperidone
keywords: Aripiprazole; Neurocognition; Risperidone; Schizophrenia; Social Cognition