BACKGROUND: A large proportion of the elderly population complains of depressive symptoms. The ideal antidepressant for these patients, who often suffer from numerous concomitant diseases, should not worsen their cognitive functions and should be free of contraindications. METHOD: To assess the effects of 2 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on cognitive functions in elderly depressed patients (ICD-10 criteria), we conducted a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, multicenter study comparing paroxetine (20-40 mg daily) and fluoxetine (20-60 mg daily) treatment for 1 year. Cognitive performance was evaluated by means of the Buschke Selective Reminding Test, the Blessed Information and Memory Test, the Clifton Assessment Schedule, the Cancellation Task Test, and the Wechsler Paired Word Test; the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Clinical Anxiety Scale were administered to assess the course of depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. RESULTS:242 patients were enrolled (mean +/- SD age = 75.4 +/- 6.6 years). During the study, no deterioration of cognition was observed; on the contrary, most of the tested cognitive functions improved. Good antidepressant efficacy was maintained for over 1 year with both drugs, based on the percentage of responders to treatment (patients achieving a HAM-D total score < 10; 60%). Both drugs showed a good tolerability and safety profile. CONCLUSION: The 2 antidepressants proved to be suitable for the long-term treatment of depression in the elderly and to be devoid of detrimental effects on the tested cognitive functions.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: A large proportion of the elderly population complains of depressive symptoms. The ideal antidepressant for these patients, who often suffer from numerous concomitant diseases, should not worsen their cognitive functions and should be free of contraindications. METHOD: To assess the effects of 2 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on cognitive functions in elderly depressedpatients (ICD-10 criteria), we conducted a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, multicenter study comparing paroxetine (20-40 mg daily) and fluoxetine (20-60 mg daily) treatment for 1 year. Cognitive performance was evaluated by means of the Buschke Selective Reminding Test, the Blessed Information and Memory Test, the Clifton Assessment Schedule, the Cancellation Task Test, and the Wechsler Paired Word Test; the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Clinical Anxiety Scale were administered to assess the course of depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. RESULTS: 242 patients were enrolled (mean +/- SD age = 75.4 +/- 6.6 years). During the study, no deterioration of cognition was observed; on the contrary, most of the tested cognitive functions improved. Good antidepressant efficacy was maintained for over 1 year with both drugs, based on the percentage of responders to treatment (patients achieving a HAM-D total score < 10; 60%). Both drugs showed a good tolerability and safety profile. CONCLUSION: The 2 antidepressants proved to be suitable for the long-term treatment of depression in the elderly and to be devoid of detrimental effects on the tested cognitive functions.
Authors: Saray Monzón; Margalida Gili; Margalida Vives; Maria Jesus Serrano; Natalia Bauza; Rosa Molina; Mauro García-Toro; Joan Salvà; Joan Llobera; Miquel Roca Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2010-06-17 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Gerald Gartlehner; Patricia Thieda; Richard A Hansen; Bradley N Gaynes; Angela Deveaugh-Geiss; Erin E Krebs; Kathleen N Lohr Journal: Drug Saf Date: 2008 Impact factor: 5.606
Authors: Louise K Refsgaard; Kia Haubro; Darryl S Pickering; Sarah A Stuart; Emma S J Robinson; Jesper T Andreasen Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2016-08-30 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Deborah M Oyeyemi; Mary Cooter; Stacey Chung; Heather E Whitson; Jeffrey N Browndyke; Michael J Devinney; Patrick J Smith; Grant E Garrigues; Eugene Moretti; Judd W Moul; Harvey Jay Cohen; Joseph P Mathew; Miles Berger Journal: J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol Date: 2020-12-30 Impact factor: 2.680