# Comparison of ziprasidone and olanzapine on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia at different stages: a prospective study in Huai’an, China

## TL;DR

This study compares how ziprasidone and olanzapine affect cognitive function in patients with early and chronic schizophrenia in China.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the differential cognitive effects of ziprasidone and olanzapine in first-episode and chronic schizophrenia.

## Key findings

- First-episode drug-free patients showed significant cognitive differences compared to healthy controls.
- Olanzapine improved cognitive function more in first-episode patients than in chronic patients after 4 weeks.
- Ziprasidone and olanzapine combinations helped improve cognitive dysfunction and social recovery in patients.

## Abstract

To compare the effects of ziprasidone and olanzapine on cognitive function in patients with first-episode schizophrenia and chronic schizophrenia at different stages.

Cognitive function tests were performed on chronic schizophrenic patients who took olanzapine for a long time, first-episode drug-free schizophrenic patients, and healthy controls.

There were significant differences in the digit span test, Stroop color and word test, auditory verbal learning test N2, N3, N4, trail-making test, verbal fluency test, and clock drawing test between first-episode drug-free schizophrenic patients and healthy controls (p < 0.05). Compared with patients with chronic schizophrenia, there were significant differences in the digit span test, Stroop color and word test B, auditory verbal learning test, trail making test B, and clock drawing test in patients with first-episode schizophrenia after 4 weeks of olanzapine treatment (p < 0.05). Compared with patients with chronic schizophrenia after 4 weeks of Ziprasidone treatment, patients with first-episode schizophrenia had significant differences in the digit span test, Stroop color, and word test, auditory verbal learning test N3, and clock drawing test after 4 weeks of olanzapine treatment (p < 0.05). Compared with patients with chronic schizophrenia who were treated with Ziprasidone for 12 weeks, there were significant differences in Stroop color and word test A, auditory verbal learning test N3, and clock drawing test in patients with first-episode schizophrenia after 4 weeks of olanzapine treatment (p < 0.05).

Patients with schizophrenia have cognitive dysfunction in the early stage of onset. The combination of ziprasidone and olanzapine can effectively improve cognitive dysfunction and promote the recovery of social functions of patients.