The Comparative Cognitive Side-effects of Lithium, Carbamazepine and Combined Lithium-Carbamazepine in Patients Treated for Affective Disorders.

Andrewes, D. G.; Schweitzer, I.; Marshall, N.

The cognitive side-effects of lithium, carbamazepine (CBZ) and combination CBZ and lithium were compared in a crossover double-blind study. The CBZ range was 17-26Mmol/l and the lithium range 0·41-1·10 mmol/l. Twelve subjects (seven females, five males), five with bipolar and seven with unipolar affective disorders, were randomly distributed to one of three groups; the order of the conditions was different for each group, whereby each condition was tested in each of the three time phases of the study. The groups varied according to the order of the three drug conditions. From measures of memory, attention and perceptuomotor functioning two measures showed significant differences between drug conditions. A tracking task showed impairment in the combined CBZ-lithium condition compared to the single administration of either drug. A memory task testing cued recall lot prose was performed better in the CBZ group; results were not confounded by correlations with self-ratings of mood.

DRUG side effects; LITHIUM; CARBAMAZEPINE; AFFECTIVE disorders; PATHOLOGICAL psychology; MENTAL depression

Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental, 1990, Vol 5, Issue 1, p41

0885-6222

Academic Journal

10.1002/hup.470050106