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Paliperidone ER versus risperidone for neurocognitive function in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized, open-label, controlled trial
International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 08/10/2012
Clinical Article
Kim SW et al. – The findings suggested that switching from risperidone to paliperidone extended release (ER) may lead to additional cognitive and social functional improvements.
Methods- This was a 12-week, randomized, open-label study on schizophrenia patients who were receiving risperidone.
- The primary outcome measure was neurocognitive function, which was measured using a computerized battery.
- Secondary efficacy measures included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Social and Occupational Functioning Scale, and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia.
- In total, 58 patients participated in this trial.
- Improvements in recall after an interference phase in the verbal learning test were significantly greater in the paliperidone-switch than in the risperidone-continuation group.
- No significant differences in changes were observed in the other six neurocognitive domains measured.
- Improvements in the Social and Occupational Functioning Scale were significantly greater in the paliperidone ER-switch group than in the risperidone-continuation group.
- In other efficacy outcome measures, no significant differences were observed between the two drugs.
- Paliperidone ER had a side-effect profile similar to that of risperidone, including metabolic problems and prolactin-related adverse events.