[Treatment of depression with cognitive impairment].

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of monotherapy with agomelatine (valdoxan) in depressive patients with marked cognitive impairment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients (women 77.1%) were recruited to participate in the study. Mean age of patients was 48.9±3.5 years. The following scales and cognitive tests were used: HAM-21, CGI, HADS, MMSE, the Stroop task, the Rey test, RAVLT. Effective therapeutic doses of valdoxan were 25mg per day in 77.1% of patients, 50 mg per day beginning from week 2 in 22.9%. Cognitive impairment was found in astheno-apathic depression (51.4%), anxiety-hypochondriacal depression (28.6%), anhedonic depression (5.7%).

RESULTS: The results showed that 74.3% of patients were responders and 51.4% were in remission. The dynamic of cognitive impairment demonstrated the positive effect of treatment with agomelatine (valdoxan). Beneficial safety profile of valdoxan was confirmed.

CONCLUSION: Valdoxan is the effective and relatively safe antidepressant; it can be recommended for treatment of depression with cognitive impairment in therapeutic doses for at least 6 weeks.