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Pharmacopsychiatry 2007; 40(6): 275-286
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-990291
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Course of Recovery of Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomised Double-blind Study Comparing Sertindole and Haloperidol

B. Gallhofer 1 , P. Jaanson 2 , A. Mittoux 3 , P. Tanghøj 3 , S. Lis 1 , S. Krieger 1
  • 1Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory and Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Psychiatry, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
  • 2Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
  • 3H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, Valby, Copenhagen, Denmark
Further Information

Publication History

received 12.02.2007 revised 17.08.2007

accepted 24.08.2007

Publication Date:
21 November 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Objective: To compare the impact of sertindole and haloperidol on cognitive function in patients suffering from schizophrenia.

Methods: In a 12 week trial, of the 40 patients randomised to treatment, 34 (17 sertindole and 17 haloperidol) were included in the analysis set. Cognitive sub-processes were investigated with the Reaction Time Decomposition (RTD) method and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), at baseline, Week 4 and Week 12.

Results: In executive function, i.e. set shifting tasks, sertindole reversed cognitive deficits significantly more than haloperidol. It was demonstrated that this atypical drug improved cognitive processing independently of motor function. Patients receiving sertindole markedly improved on the RTD task at Week 4 and continued to improve (although at a slower rate) at Week 12, those patients receiving haloperidol showed marked impairment at Week 4 with partial recovery by Week 12.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated two distinct processes of action on cognition between sertindole and haloperidol and the marked beneficial effects of sertindole, particularly in parameters that are regarded as schizophrenia-related cognitive disturbances.

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Correspondence

B. Gallhofer

Cognitive Neuroscience

Laboratory

Centre for Psychiatry

Justus-Liebig University

Am Steg 22

35385 Giessen

Germany

Phone: +49/641/994 57 01

Fax: +49/641/994 57 09

Email: Bernd.Gallhofer@psychiat.med.uni-giessen.de

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