Effect of Mirtazapine on Memory Function of Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Jeon, Yong Ju; Chung, Moon Yong; Chung, Hae Gyung

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to evaluate efficacy on symptoms and memory function of mirtazapine treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.
METHODS
Thirty Vietnam veterans were collected for this study, among whom fifteen were PTSD patients and fifteen were combat control subjects. We used Mississippi Scale for CombatRelated PTSD, Combat Exposure Scale (CES), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Digit Span, Paired Association Learning Test (PALT) and Rey-Osterrith Complex Figure Test (CFT) were assessed for memory function. We also evaluate HDRS, CAPS and memory function tests intervals of baseline, 2 week and 6 week in PTSD patients during mirtazapine treatment.
RESULTS
There were significant differences between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans in Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD, CES, HDRS and CAPS. Significant difference was found in memory function tests between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans. PTSD veterans showed significant improvement in HDRS and CAPS at 2 week and 6 week during mirtazapine treatment and in memory function tests at 6 week during mirtazapine treatment. There was no significant correlation between symptoms and memory function.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that mirtazapine improve symptoms and memory function of PTSD. There was no significant correlation between PTSD sysmtoms and memory function.