title: Serum level of venlafaxine is associated with better memory in psychotic disorders.
abstract: Cognitive impairment is a core feature of psychosis spectrum disorders. Antipsychotics have at best small positive effects on cognitive performance. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the effects of antidepressants on cognitive functioning in these disorders. In the present study cognitive performance was investigated in relation to serum levels of antidepressants in persons with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Serum concentrations of escitalopram, citalopram and venlafaxine plus O-desmethylvenlafaxine were measured in a total of 187 participants with bipolar disorder (N=74) or schizophrenia spectrum disorders (N=113), and analyzed in relation to neuropsychological tests performance of verbal learning, verbal memory, attention, working memory, executive functioning and processing speed. Analyses were performed using linear regression adjusting for a range of confounders. There was a significant positive association between the serum level of venlafaxine plus O-desmethylvenlafaxine and verbal memory (immediate recall: Logical Memory Test immediate recall [p=0.015], and long term delayed recall: Logical Memory Test delayed recall [p=0.011]). No significant associations were seen between citalopram or escitalopram and verbal memory. There were no significant associations between the tested antidepressants and verbal learning, attention, working memory, executive functioning, or processing speed. Venlafaxine seem to be associated with better verbal memory in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This suggests a possible beneficial role of certain antidepressants on cognitive dysfunction, which may have clinical implications and provide insight into underlying pathophysiology. However, the current findings should be replicated in independent samples.
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway; Drammen District Psychiatric Center, Clinic of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, 3004 Drammen, Norway. Electronic address: n.e.steen@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Nils Eiel
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Steen
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aas
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simonsen
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dieset
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tesli
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nerhus
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Erlend
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gardsjord
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ragni
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mørch
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, PO Box 85, Vinderen, 0319 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Agartz
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melle
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1094, Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaskinn
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St. Olav University Hospital, PO Box 3250, Sluppen, 7006 Trondheim, Norway; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Olav
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Spigset
authors.affiliation: NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ole A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Andreassen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
keywords: Antidepressants; Bipolar disorder; Cognition; Neuropsychological test; Psychosis; Schizophrenia