Clinical Report: Prucalopride may enhance cognitive performance in remitted depression

Overview

Treatment with prucalopride for seven to 10 days improved cognitive performance in patients with remitted recurrent depression, particularly in verbal learning and working memory.

Background

Cognitive dysfunction is a common and persistent issue in major depressive disorder (MDD), often remaining even during remission. Addressing cognitive deficits is crucial as they can significantly affect functional recovery and quality of life. This study explores the potential of prucalopride, a serotonin 4 receptor agonist, to enhance cognitive performance in individuals with remitted depression.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Prucalopride improved verbal learning and memory in patients with remitted depression.
• Patients receiving prucalopride responded more quickly on working-memory tasks without sacrificing accuracy.
• Greater accuracy in identifying facial expressions was observed in the prucalopride group, though responses were slower.
• No significant differences were found in executive function measures between treatment groups.
• Prucalopride was generally well tolerated, with similar rates of adverse effects compared to placebo.
• Baseline mood symptoms did not explain the cognitive improvements observed with prucalopride.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider the cognitive effects of serotonin 4 receptor agonists in managing cognitive symptoms associated with mood disorders.

Conclusion

Short-term treatment with prucalopride shows improvements in cognitive performance in individuals with remitted depression.

Related Resources & Content

1. Angharad N. de Cates, University of Birmingham and University of Oxford, Psychol, 2023 -- Prucalopride may enhance cognitive performance in remitted depression
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5. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Executive Function Following Remission From Major Depression - ScienceDirect
6. Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults
7. Nature Medicine — Efficacy and target engagement of dopamine agonist pramipexole for anhedonic depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
8. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Executive Function Following Remission From Major Depression - ScienceDirect
9. Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: Réseau canadien pour les traitements de l'humeur et de l'anxiété (CANMAT) 2023 : Mise à jour des lignes directrices cliniques pour la prise en charge du trouble dépressif majeur chez les adultes - PMC
10. Pro-cognitive effects of 5-HT4 receptor agonism in individuals with remitted depression - PubMed