title: Changes in cognitive function during psychogeriatric treatment in relation to benzodiazepine cessation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate cognitive functions after admission to a geriatric psychiatric hospital, and to study the short-term effects of cessation of benzodiazepine use on cognitive functions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Details of benzodiazepine use and serum concentration measurements were recorded on admission. The Hopkins verbal learning test, the Stroop test, Digit Vigilance Test and the Mini Mental Status Examination were performed on admission, and after 4 weeks of hospitalization. Test results were compared for the total group of patients, as well as for benzodiazepine "continuers" and the "quitters".
  
  
  RESULTS
  For all patients (n=224), improved performances were observed in 10 out of 12 cognitive tests. Significant improvements were seen in 4 out of 12 tests. Benzodiazepine "quitters" improved significantly more than the "continuers" (p=0.027) only on the Hopkins verbal learning test, delayed recall performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among elderly psychiatric patients, cognitive function improved slightly during the 4 weeks of hospital treatment, but only for one of the memory tests, the improvement was related to the cessation of benzodiazepine treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tveito
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lorentzen
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Centre for Aging and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Norway.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engedal
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tanum
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Bramness
authors.affiliation: Center for Psychopharmacology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Refsum
authors.affiliation: Center for Psychopharmacology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Høiseth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines