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Non-MAOI antidepressant drugs and cognitive functions: a review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

P. J. Thompson  and
M. R. Trimble
P. J. Thompson
Affiliation:
Department of Neuropsychiatry, The National Hospitals for Nervous Diseases, London
M. R. Trimble*
Affiliation:
Department of Neuropsychiatry, The National Hospitals for Nervous Diseases, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr M. R. Trimble, Department of Neuropsychiatry, The National Hospitals for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square, London WCIN 3BG.
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Synopsis

Little is known about the effects of non-MAOI antidepressants on cognitive functions, despite their wide application to ambulant patients. Evidence from studies involving healthy volunteers suggests that differences exist between drugs, with imipramine, amitriptyline and mianserin being associated with the most marked detrimental effects. However, these findings have generally not been supported by the few studies using clinical populations, for which improvements in cognitive functions are often recorded following treatment. The reasons for this discrepancy are discussed, and the need for further research suggested.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , August 1982 , pp. 539 - 548
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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