"Cognitive/behavioural function in long term SSRI antidepressant use"
2009 Research Project Grant Round
Approved for Funding by CMRF $66,206.00
For a period of 3 years
Start Date: 01 October 2009
Reseacher 1: Dr Claire Dowson
Department of Public Health & General Practice
Researcher 2: Assoc. Prof. Dee Mangin
Researcher 3: Prof. Roger Mulder
Photo: Rssearch Team from left to right
Front Row: Dr Claire Dowson (PI), Toni Stewart (Research Nurse)
Elisabeth Wells (Biostatician)
Back Row: Prof. Les Toop (HOD, General Practice), Prof. Roger Mulder (HOD, Psychological Medicine) Assoc. Prof. Dee Mangin, Sarah Rowe (Research Assistant), Alison Parsons (research Secretary)
"Cognitive/behavioural function in long term SSRI antidepressant use"
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ‘SSRIs’ are the most commonly prescribed
antidepressant drug class in New Zealand. Increasing numbers of people are
prescribed SSRI’s such as fluoxetine for maintenance treatment to
prevent recurrence once they have recovered from an episode of depression.
There are suggestions that these medications may impair cognitive and
behavioural functioning in some people. If true, this would be an important
consideration in decisions about long term use.
The aims of this study are to determine whether there are cognitive and
behavioural adverse effects in those who remain on the SSRI fluoxetine as long
term maintenance treatment after they have recovered from depression. If there
are such deficits a further aim is to identify if there are certain “at risk”
sub-groups. Participants will be drawn from a recently commenced longitudinal
randomised controlled trial of long term fluoxetine maintenance treatment where
participants are randomised to either continuing on fluoxetine or a tapered
withdrawal to placebo. This proposed study will assess all consenting participants
in both randomised groups (withdrawal and continuation) at the 6 month data visit
for the ACT study.
