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Amitriptyline, clovoxamine and cognitive function: a placebo-controlled comparison in depressed outpatients.
B Spring1, A J Gelenberg, R Garvin
1Department of Psychology, University of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School, IL 60064.
Psychopharmacology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline can worsen memory in depressed patients, even while improving mood. This study highlights potential cognitive side effects of certain antidepressants.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are used for depression, but their effects on cognitive deficits beyond mood are unclear.
- Amitriptyline, a TCA, has anticholinergic and sedative properties, raising concerns about cognitive exacerbation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether amitriptyline exacerbates cognitive disturbances in depressed patients.
- To compare the effects of amitriptyline, clomipramine fumarate, and placebo on memory and psychomotor performance.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind study involving depressed outpatients randomly assigned to placebo, amitriptyline, or clomipramine fumarate.
- Assessment of depression, memory, and psychomotor performance at baseline and after 7 and 28 days of treatment.
Main Results:
- All treatments, including placebo, alleviated depression.
- Amitriptyline significantly impaired memory performance compared to placebo after 4 weeks.
- No adverse effects on psychomotor tasks were observed with any treatment.
Conclusions:
- Antidepressant drugs with high anticholinergic activity, such as amitriptyline, can impair memory in depressed patients.
- Cognitive side effects should be considered when prescribing TCAs, even when depression is alleviated.