Effects on cognitive functioning after olanzapine–ziprasidone crossover in recent-onset schizophrenia

IntroductionTo enhance functional outcome in schizophrenia improvement of cognitive symptoms is crucial.Experimental proceduresUsing a comprehensive test battery, this follow-up examines cognitive effects in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia after a change of medication following insufficient clinical response and intolerance.ResultsAfter eight weeks cognitive outcomes had not improved in the patients having switched from olanzapine to ziprasidone (n = 11; mean dose 136 mg) nor in those having switched from ziprasidone to olanzapine (n = 10; mean 16 mg), while the symptoms of patients maintaining olanzapine (n = 18; mean 10.9 mg) or ziprasidone (n = 18; mean 88.9 mg) treatment had not improved further.DiscussionThe findings suggest that also in early-stage schizophrenia the antipsychotics tested affect cognitive symptoms similarly.