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Improvement in cognitive functioning in patients with first-episode psychosis during treatment with quetiapine: an interim analysis^*

Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Canada

CHRISTINE BUITEMAN, BA, HAZEL WOODLEY, RN and QING RUI, MD

The Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Programme, Canada

DAVID WHITEHORN, PhD

Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University and The Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Programme, Canada

LILI KOPALA, FRCPC

Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Canada

Correspondence: Dr Kimberley Good, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Suite 3073-AJLB, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 2E2. E-mail: kimpgood{at}is.dal.ca

Declaration of interest Partial support from AstraZeneca (unrestricted grant) and the Department of Health, Province of Nova Scotia.

^* Presented in part at the European First Episode Schizophrenia Network Meeting, Whistler BC, Canada, 27 April 2001.

Background The efficacies of second-generation antipsychotic medications in reducing symptoms are reasonably well-documented, but their effects on cognition are less clearly understood.

Aims To undertake an interim analysis of an open label, 2-year study examining the effects of quetiapine on cognition in patients with a first episode of schizophrenia and related disorders.

Method Cognitive testing was performed before quetiapine was initiated and repeated after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. To date, 13 patients have been fully assessed (mean dose 517.9 mg/day; s.d.=225.8).

Results Statistically significant improvement was noted on measures of attention (Continuous Performance Test; CPT), verbal productivity (Verbal Fluency Test) and executive function (Object Alternation Test) after 6 and 12 months of treatment. For the CPT, improvement was also noted after 3 months of treatment.

Conclusions During treatment for 1 year with quetiapine, cognitive performance was improved in young patients with psychosis. Continued controlled investigations of the effects of quetiapine on cognition are desirable.

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