Cognitive Effects of Antipsychotics Drugs in First-Episode Schizophrenia and Schizophreniform Disorder: A Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial (EUFEST)

Abstract

Cognitive impairment, manifested as mild to moderate deviations from psychometric norms, is present in many but not all schizophrenia patients. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of haloperidol with that of second-generation antipsychotic drugs on the cognitive performance of patients with schizophreniform disorder or first-episode schizophrenia.

Subjects were 498 patients with schizophreniform disorder or first-episode schizophrenia who were randomly assigned to open-label haloperidol, amisulpride, olanzapine, quetiapine, or ziprasidone. The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test Part A and Part B, WAIS Digit Symbol Test, and Purdue Pegboard Test were administered at baseline and the 6-month follow-up evaluation.

Compared with scores at baseline, composite cognitive test scores improved for all five treatment groups at the 6-month follow-up evaluation. There were no overall differences among the treatment groups.