Neuropsychological impairment in patients treated with depot neuroleptics: a longitudinal study

To assess neuropsychological impairments among chronic functional psychotic patients over time, and relations with symptoms, drug dose and side effects.

Thirty-four patients, representative of the most ill one-third of all patients with chronic functional psychoses known to the psychiatric services in a city catchment area, were assessed for clinical symptoms, drug side effects and by neuropsychological tests at study entry. They were then assessed repeatedly over 2 years.

All patients were seriously impaired in the tests. The impairment was stable over time, in spite of substantial changes in the clinical state. The impairment was unrelated to drug and drug dose. Patients with prominent negative symptoms were most impaired and most unable to rate their performance in the tests.

Patients with chronic functional psychoses do relapse often, also late in the course of the disease. Negative symptoms, marked impairments in simple neuropsychological tests and impaired self-monitoring went together.