Non-MAOI antidepressant drugs and cognitive functions: a review

Thompson, Pamela J.; Trimble, Michael

doi:10.1017/s003329170005563x

Cited by 41 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The results clearly show that idazoxan does not significantly impair performance of any task nor increase negative effect. This gives it distinct advantages over conventional antidepressants (such as amitryptyline) which often have sedative effects or produce attentional and mnemonic decrements (see Thompson and Trimble, 1982;Curran, 1992). Indeed, idazoxan improved one aspect of selective attention, the place repetition effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects and after effects of the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan on mood, memory and attention in normal volunteers

Smith

Wilson²,

Glue³

et al. 1992

J Psychopharmacol

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Idazoxan, an α( 2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, is an effective antidepressant with a mode of action different from that of conventional antidepressants. As it is used as an antidepressant it is important to know whether there are any unwanted CNS side effects. Study of its effects will also provide information on the relationship between noradrenergic function and mood and performance. Twelve normal male volunteers who were given the drug (40 mg orally three times daily for 21 days) were compared with 12 matched controls. A computerized test battery was used to assess mood and various aspects of memory and attention. Many of the tests of memory and attention in the battery have been widely used over the last 20 years, and in addition two new selective attention tasks were included. The subjects were tested 3 days before starting the drug, on days 3 and 17 while on the drug, and after they had stopped taking the drug (4 days after and 24 days after). Control subjects followed a similar testing schedule. The results showed that the drug had no effect on mood, logical reasoning, retrieval from semantic memory or sustained attention. However, the drug did improve one aspect of selective attention (the place repetition effect), although this effect was only observed on the third day on the drug. Overall, the results suggest that idazoxan produces selective performance improvements, and that the measures of selective attention used here may be more sensitive indicators of drug effects than some of the traditional tasks currently in use.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects and after effects of the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan on mood, memory and attention in normal volunteers

Smith

Wilson²,

Glue³

et al. 1992

J Psychopharmacol

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“…The number of investigations exploring the effects of antidepressant drugs on memory and other cognitive functions had increased since a previous review (Thompson and Trimble, 1982). Conflicting findings on the same drug still exist, and are attributable to significant methodological differences between the studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antidepressants and memory: A review

Thompson

1991

Human Psychopharmacology

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Antidepressant medications have been in general use since the late 1950s. Many patients are treated as outpatients and often continue with their normal routines during treatment. Individuals may undertake activities where any change in memory functioning, negative or positive, might have important consequences. Furthermore, many antidepressants have similar efficacy. Information about differential effects upon memory would seem valuable information for the clinician to have at his or her disposal. This paper reviews available evidence on the effects of antidepressants on human memory. Many studies have involved the single or short‐term administration of antidepressants to healthy volunteers, thereby not acknowledging that depression per se has a negative impact on memory processes. Even in the studies on patient samples, groups very with regard to type and severity of depression, dosage and duration of treatment. Limited evidence, however, does suggest that antidepressants may exert differential effects upon memory functioning which could be predicted from their action on specific neurotransmitter system.

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“…In depressive patients and in normals (Deptula and Pomara, 1990; Thompson, 1991; Thompson and Trimble, 1982) the effects of tricyclic antidepressants on psychomotor and cognitive functions are inconsistent. Indeed, studies with imipramine in depressed patients have shown (a) performance impairment (Calev et al, 1989;Jones et al, 1986;Legg and Stiff, 1976;Wittenborn et al, 1976), (b) performance improvement (Amin, Khan and Lehmann, 1980;Glass, Uhlenhuth and Weinribb, 1978;Sternberg and Jarvik, 1976) or (c) no effect at all (Henry, Weingartner and Murphy, 1973;Raskin, Friedman and DiMascio, 1983;Wittenborn et al, 1962).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clomipramine, a better reference drug for panic/agoraphobia. II. Psychomotor and cognitive effects

Marcourakis¹,

Gorenstein²,

Gentil

1993

J Psychopharmacol

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The present reference drugs for the treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia are imipramine and alprazolam. The latter decreases performance and cognitive functioning. No study of such functions in panic/agoraphobia is available. Fifty four out-patients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (PAG), taking part in a parallel groups controlled trial of imipramine (mean dose ±SEM 114±9 mg), clomipramine (50±4 mg) and propanteline (active placebo) over 8 weeks, were studied. A test battery of psychomotor and memory tests was administered at baseline, and after 1, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Their results were compared (at baseline and at the end of the trial) with those of a control group of 57 normal untreated subjects. There was no difference between treatments, and no drug effect on any test at any time. No consistent difference between patients and controls was detected. Given its apparently higher potency, and the absence of deleterious effects on cognitive measures known to be affected by benzodiazepines, we conclude that clomipramine is better than imipramine or alprazolam as a reference drug for panic/agoraphobia.

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Non-MAOI antidepressant drugs and cognitive functions: a review

Cited by 41 publications

References 36 publications

The effects and after effects of the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan on mood, memory and attention in normal volunteers

The effects and after effects of the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan on mood, memory and attention in normal volunteers

Antidepressants and memory: A review

Clomipramine, a better reference drug for panic/agoraphobia. II. Psychomotor and cognitive effects

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