Abstract
In this study, the effect of treatment with the generic form of olanzapine (Zolafren, produced by ADAMED company) on different aspects of working memory and verbal fluency in schizophrenic patients was investigated. Thirty-three schizophrenic patients (18 male and 15 female), aged 20-48 (mean 32 ± 9) years, participated in this research. Psychopathological symptoms were evaluated using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and for cognitive assessment Trail Making Test (TMT), Stroop Test, Verbal Fluency Test and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were used. The clinical and neuropsychological evaluation was done before, and after 1, and 3 months of Zolafren administration. The daily dose of Zolafren was 10-20 (mean 14,2 ± 3,6) mg/day after 1 month of treatment, and 5-20 (mean 13,0 ± 3,6) mg/day after 3 months.
The positive effect of Zolafren treatment was found on psychopathological symptoms and on cognitive functions, such as psychomotor speed (TMT A), visuospatial working memory (TMT B), verbal functions (Stroop Test and Verbal Fluency) and on working memory and executive functions (WCST). Favorable effect of the drug on cognitive functions was especially evident after 3 months of treatment.