Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

Effects of Fluvoxamine on Cognitive Function in Outpatients with Depression in Remission: Results of an Open-Label Pilot Study

Alexey Bobrov, Larisa Krasnoslobodtseva and Elena Mutnykh

A prospective, non-comparative, single-centre, single-group study was conducted in 50 adult patients with currently remitted recurrent depressive disorder according to the criteria of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision in order to assess changes in cognitive function during preventive therapy with fluvoxamine. Responses to therapy were evaluated using the Stroop Color and Word Test as the primary efficacy outcome. The revised Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale were used as secondary indices. Fluvoxamine was administered at doses of 50–150 mg/day for 24 weeks. Fluvoxamine therapy was associated with a range of ‘pro-cognitive’ responses that resulted in improvement in executive functions, including improved voluntary regulation of inhibitory control and restoration of verbal fluency. No dose relation was apparent for these effects. The incidence of treatmentrelated adverse events was low and no serious or severe events were recorded. These findings indicate that further studies of fluvoxamine are warranted and feasible to characterize possible beneficial effects on cognitive processes in patients with depression