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Pharmacopsychiatry 2008; 41(4): 146-150
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1076724
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Effects of Venlafaxine on Cognitive Functions and Quantitative EEG in Healthy Volunteers

T. Siepmann 1 , M. Mueck-Weymann 2 , R. Oertel 1 , W. Kirch 1 , D. Pittrow 1 , M. Siepmann 1
  • 1Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Technical University, Dresden, Germany
  • 2Clinic for Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Medical Faculty, Technical University, Dresden, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 15.09.2007 revised 21.01.2008

accepted 29.01.2008

Publication Date:
23 July 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Antidepressants that selectively block serotonin uptake may cause unwanted effects on cognitive functions such as impairment of vigilance and memory. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over trial was performed to examine the effects of venlafaxine, a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI), on cognitive functions and quantitative EEG (qEEG) in humans. 12 healthy male subjects aged 23–32 years (26±3 years mean±sd) orally received 37.5 mg venlafaxine b.i.d. for 7 days and subsequently 75 mg b.i.d. for another 7 days. After a 14-day wash-out phase, placebo was administered to the subjects for 14 days under randomized double-blind cross-over conditions. Venlafaxine did not influence cognitive functions such as choice reaction, memory, psychomotor performance and subjective mood. Placebo resulted in an increase in slow alpha power (p<0.05) whereas venlafaxine had no effect on qEEG. In conclusion, multiple dosing with venlafaxine did not influence cognitive functions in healthy humans.

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Correspondence

PD Dr. M. Siepmann

Institute of Clinical Pharmacology

Medical Faculty

Technical University

Fiedlerstr. 27

01307 Dresden

Germany

Phone: +49/351/458 28 15

Fax: +49/351/458 43 41

Email: martin.siepmann@.tu-dresden.de

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