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Effects on cognitive functioning after olanzapine-ziprasidone crossover in recent-onset schizophrenia
K P Grootens1, N M J van Veelen, M M Sitskoorn
1CWZ General Hospital Nijmegen, Dept. of Psychiatry, Postbus 9015, 6500 GS Nijmegen, The Netherlands. k.grootens@cwz.nl
Introduction:
To enhance functional outcome in schizophrenia improvement of cognitive symptoms is crucial.
Experimental Procedures:
Using a comprehensive test battery, this follow-up examines cognitive effects in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia after a change of medication following insufficient clinical response and intolerance.
Results:
After eight weeks cognitive outcomes had not improved in the patients having switched from olanzapine to ziprasidone (n=11; mean dose 136 mg) nor in those having switched from ziprasidone to olanzapine (n=10; mean 16 mg), while the symptoms of patients maintaining olanzapine (n=18; mean 10.9 mg) or ziprasidone (n=18; mean 88.9 mg) treatment had not improved further.
Discussion:
The findings suggest that also in early-stage schizophrenia the antipsychotics tested affect cognitive symptoms similarly.
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