Impact of olanzapine on cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia during an observation period of six months.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of olanzapine treatment on selected cognitive functions in patients suffering from schizophrenia during an observation period of six-months.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

Twenty patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria for research were examined. One day before initiation of olanzapine a baseline assessment was performed. The neuropsychological examination was repeated 28 days, 60 days, 3 months, and 6 months after the beginning of treatment. Cognitive function measurements were performed using Signal, COGNITRON and RT tests, being a part of the computer-based Vienna Test System (VTS).

RESULTS

Our study showed an improvement in the assessed cognitive functions. Impairments in cognitive domains were observed at baseline as compared to published normative data, and enhancement in achieved results was observed subsequently in all stages of the treatment until the 6th month.

CONCLUSION

The above results are consistent with a number of other studies on the impact on cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine.