Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior
Published on: March 2, 2015
Cognitive performance following fluoxetine treatment in depressed patients post myocardial infarction
Jacqueline J M H Strik1, Adriaan Honig1, Edwin Klinkenberg1
11Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Maastricht/University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Background:
As depression is a considerable risk factor for an unfavourable course of myocardial infarction (MI), antidepressant treatment of post-MI depression and, inherent to MI status, polypharmacy has become an important issue.
Objective:
The present study is the first to evaluate cognitive side effects of fluoxetine, as part of a placebo-controlled double-blind trial, in patients with post-first MI depression.
Methods:
Cognitive performance of 54 depressed patients post first-MI, treated with fluoxetine or placebo was compared. Cognitive performance was tested before and after 9 weeks of treatment using the Visual Verbal Learning Test, Concept Shifting Task, Stroop Colour-Word Test and Letter-Digit-Substitution Test.
Results:
The median number of cardiovascular drugs taken by MI patients was 4.9. There were no differences between the fluoxetine and the placebo group on cognitive performance.
Conclusion:
In sum, there were no negative side effects of fluoxetine compared with placebo on cognition in depressed MI patients, simultaneously treated with cardiac drugs.
Related Concept Videos
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Angina IV: Management
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

