Effects of serotonin-only and combined serotonin-noradrenaline treatments on memory and thinking speed in people with major depression

Seventy-three patients with major depressive disorder were treated with either escitalopram or duloxetine for 24 weeks.

• Both escitalopram and duloxetine significantly improved episodic memory, with duloxetine showing greater efficacy.
• Working memory, mental processing speed, and motor performance also improved, but to a lesser extent than episodic memory.
• Cognitive improvements were observed even when clinical symptoms did not fully resolve.
• Both treatment groups achieved remission rates on the Hamilton depression rating scale after 24 weeks.
• The findings suggest that the effectiveness of duloxetine in enhancing episodic memory may have important clinical implications.

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