CHANGES IN COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS DURING SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS THERAPY

Abstract

In psychiatric practice, in the treatment of patients with depressive disorders, an increasing preference is given to antidepressants from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) group. In the literature, it is increasingly mentioned about the different effects of SSRIs on the level of cognitive functions in the treatment of depression. However, to date, there is no unambiguous data on the positive or negative effect of SSRI antidepressants on cognitive function in patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in cognitive functions in patients with depressive disorders during treatment with antidepressants from the SSRI group. Material and methods: 30 female patients with depressive disorders were examined, who were treated in the clinic of the research Institute of mental health of the Tomsk NIMC for 28-30 days. All patients were prescribed antidepressants from the SSRI group. The study of the level of cognitive functions was carried out before and after the course of therapy using computer tests Go/Nogo, Corsi and Stroop. As a control group, 30 mentally healthy individuals were examined, comparable in gender, age and level of education with the group of patients. Results: Data analysis showed that patients after a course of therapy made fewer errors in the Go/Nogo test and spent less time performing the Stroop test. At the same time, no statistically significant differences were found in the Corsi test. Conclusion: Our data show that in patients with depressive disorders, there is an improvement in the level of inhibitory control and a decrease in cognitive rigidity after a 28 - 30 day course of SSRI therapy.