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[Antipsychotics and memory functions in schizophrenic patients]
Alexander Brunnauer1, Elisabeth Geiger, Gerd Laux
1Bezirksklinikum Gabersee, Fachkrankenhaus für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Neurologie. brunnauer.alexander@gabersee.de
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of antipsychotics on memory functions in schizophrenic patients under clinical routine conditions.
Method:
Schizophrenic patients (n = 111) before discharge to outpatient treatment were evaluated on verbal memory function. Data were analyzed according to pharmacological treatment controlling for age.
Results:
We observed that treatment with atypical antipsychotics (n = 80) compared with conventional neuroleptics (n = 31) was significantly associated with a more favorable effect on memory function. In short-term- and working-memory and retention a clear advantage of atypical antipsychotics could be seen.
Conclusions:
Results from this study suggest that even under clinical routine conditions atypical antipsychotics have an advantage on memory function when compared with conventional antipsychotics.
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