Verbal memory performance during subchronic challenge with a selective serotonergic and a mixed action antidepressant

Abstract

Verbal memory was not affected by acute and subchronic escitalopram treatment in healthy participants. Overall immediate verbal memory was slightly but significantly impaired throughout mirtazapine treatment, probably due to a general reduction in overall arousal caused by H1 blockade.

The role of serotonin in cognitive function: evidence from recent studies and implications for understanding depression

“…In a small study ( N = 18) in healthy individuals, verbal memory was impaired with acute (2 days and 9 days) and subchronic (16 days) treatment with mirtazapine 30–45 mg/d. Escitalopram 10–20 mg did not affect verbal memory in this placebo-controlled cross-over study (Wingen et al, 2006). However, adjunctive mirtazapine may enhance cognition in patients with schizophrenia (Cho et al, 2011; Stenberg et al, 2010, 2011).…”

Residual effects of esmirtazapine on actual driving performance: overall findings and an exploratory analysis into the role of CYP2D6 phenotype

“…A range of studies have demonstrated that these drugs produce subjective fatigue and sleepiness and impair psychomotor function, cognition, and actual driving performance after acute dosing and to a lesser degree as well as after repeated dosing (Curran et al 1986; Mattila et al 1989; Ramaekers 2003; Ramaekers et al 1998; 1992; Ridout et al 2003; Wingen et al 2005; 2006). Several studies have demonstrated that mirtazapine increases sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and slow wave sleep in patients with major depressive disorder and in healthy subjects (Anttila and Leinonen 2001; Radhakishun et al 2000; Ruigt et al 1990; Schmid et al 2006; Winokur et al 2000).…”

A randomized trial of the effect of escitalopram versus placebo on cognitive function in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with depression

“…In a recent review, concerning the effect of SSRIs in healthy individuals, 18 randomized trials using 39 different neuropsychological tests to investigate cognitive function were identified [Knorr and Kessing, 2010]. Treatment with a SSRI was found to improve [Murphy et al 2008;Loubinoux et al 2005;Harmer et al 2004;Schmitt et al 2001;Knutson et al 1998Knutson et al , 1997, deteriorate [Riedel et al 2005;Schmitt et al 2002aSchmitt et al , 2001Fairweather et al 1997;Ramaekers et al 1995;Robbe and O'Hanlon, 1995] or have no effect on cognitive function [Peran et al 2008;Paul et al 2007Paul et al , 2002Wingen et al 2006Wingen et al , 2005Loubinoux et al 2005;Riedel et al 2005;Siepmann et al 2003;Schmitt et al 2002aSchmitt et al , 2002bSchmitt et al , 2001Wilson et al 2002;Allen et al 1988;Fairweather et al 1997;Ramaekers et al 1995;Robbe and O'Hanlon, 1995]. It was concluded that the diverging findings could be a result of a number of methodological drawbacks.…”

“…Two of these studies found no significant effect of escitalopram. Wingen and coworkers [Knorr and Kessing, 2010;Wingen et al 2005Wingen et al , 2006 investigated doses of escitalopram 1020 mg/day versus placebo for 15 days in a crossover design in 18 participants with an unknown family history of depression and found no effect on actual driving performance, psychomotor performance or visual memory performance. Paul and colleagues [Paul et al 2007] investigated escitalopram 20 mg/day versus placebo for 14 days in a crossover design in 24 participants with an unknown family history of depression and found no effect on psychomotor performance evaluated by multiple tests.…”