EFFECT OF FLUOXETINE ON MEMORY AND COGNITION

Abstract

Background This study was carried out to assess the effect of fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, on memory and cognition in patients of two different age groups with minor mental illnesses, on long term administration. For this study, patients attending psychiatry clinic  in Stanley medical college were inducted and simple tests to evaluate memory were applied. Aim To study the effect of fluoxetine on memory and cognition. Objective To study the effect of fluoxetine on memory and cognition in two different age groups (between 15 45 46 and 60)Materials and Methods Memory was evaluated using the Wechsler memory scale which consist of seven   subsets personal and present information, Orientation, Mental control, Immediate recall, Logical memory, Visual reproduction and Associate learning . Patients memory was evaluated at baseline, at the end of 15 days and at the end of one month after administration of fluoxetine. Statistical analysis was carried out using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results and Conclusion The results of our study reveal that there was a significant  improvement in memory and cognitive functions at first follow-up and they improved continuously up to the last follow-up (at the end of one month). It is observed that there was improvement in the primary disease. So, final score of the cognitive parameters is because of the resultant activity of direct drug action and  improvement in the underlying disease