Improvement in cognitive function following a switch to ziprasidone from conventional antipsychotics, olanzapine, or risperidone in outpatients with schizophrenia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess changes in cognitive function in stable outpatients with schizophrenia switched to ziprasidone from conventional antipsychotics (n = 108), olanzapine (n = 104), or risperidone (n = 58) because of suboptimal efficacy or poor tolerability.

METHODS:

In three separate 6-week trials, patients received ziprasidone 40 mg b.i.d. for 2 days, followed by 20-80 mg b.i.d. for the next 40 days. Before switching, and at endpoint, patients were evaluated with tests of working and secondary verbal memory, vigilance, visuomotor speed, verbal fluency, and executive functioning. Principal components factor analysis was performed to test for clustering of cognitive variables.

RESULTS:

Significant improvements were seen at endpoint in secondary verbal memory (in all three groups), vigilance (in patients switched from conventional antipsychotics or risperidone), executive function (in patients switched from conventional antipsychotics or risperidone), and verbal fluency. Factor analysis on baseline scores suggested reduction of the cognitive variables to three factors: verbal skills, attention and short-term memory, and executive functioning. Analysis of z-transformed mean change in factor scores showed significant improvement in verbal skills and global score following the switch from conventional antipsychotics, olanzapine, or risperidone.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients requiring a change in antipsychotic therapy may exhibit cognitive improvement following a switch to ziprasidone.

• Authors: Philip D Harvey, Herbert Meltzer, George M Simpson, Steven G Potkin, Antony Loebel, Cynthia Siu, Steven J Romano
• Journal: Schizophrenia research (Schizophr Res) Vol. 66 Issue 2-3 Pg. 101-13 (Feb 01 2004) ISSN: 0920-9964 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15061242 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Piperazines
• Thiazoles
• Benzodiazepines
• ziprasidone
• Risperidone
• Olanzapine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Ambulatory Care
• Arousal (drug effects)
• Attention (drug effects)
• Benzodiazepines (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Cognition (drug effects)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Tolerance
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Olanzapine
• Piperazines (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Risperidone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)
• Thiazoles (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Verbal Behavior (drug effects)