Effects of amisulpride on the cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia patients

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of amisulpride on the cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia patients. Methods 64 patients in first-episode schizophrenia were divided into two groups randomly according to the method of tossing a coin, then treated with amisulpride or risperidone respectively for 12 weeks.The efficacy and adverse effect were evaluated with positive and negative scale (PANSS) and treatment emergent side effect scale (TESS) before treatment and after treatment for 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks.Before and after treatment for 12 weeks, cognitive function of all the patients was blindly evaluated with Wechsler Scale-revised China (WMS-RC) , Wisconsin Card Sorting Test(WCST)and Trail Making test A and B. Results After 12-week treatment, statistical difference was found in amisulpride(44.7±6.7) and risperidone(45.2±7.4) groups (P 0.05). The cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia was damaged obviously.In two groups, the scores in recognize, association, comprehend, back a few and MQ of WMS and TAT-A, TAT-B were improved significantly after treatment for 12 weeks(P>0.05). These items of WCST were improved more remarkably than baseline (amisulpride(20.63±13.06), (28.75±15.72), (43.17±22.13), (3.62±2.21), P 0.05). Conclusion The study shows that the cognitive dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia can be improved by amisulpride, and the efficacy was similar with risperidone. Key words: Amisulpride; Risperidone; Schizophrenia; Cognitive function