A Review of Modern Antidepressants Effects on Neurocognitive Function
Abstract
The present paper reviews the current literature on modern antidepressants effects on neurocognitive function. Today, it seems justified to state that SSRIs in general do not affect cognitive function. However, there exists some evidence that paroxetine is associated with a somewhat lower performance on neurocognitive tests than other sub-groups of SSRIs. Further, studies have consistently found sertraline to be better with regard to cognitive function compared to other SSRIs. There is a lack of studies assessing effects of RIMAs and α2-receptor antagonists on cognitive function. Some evidence suggests that the latter may have negative effects on cognitive function. Other studies suggest that reboxetine, bupropion and SNRIs may be more beneficial with regard to cognitive function than other antidepressants. However, the question whether these medications may actually improve cognitive function to a higher level than expected from improvement in depressive symptomatology, remains unclear. Clinical, social and emotional factors are important for cognitive function and these factors should always be taken into consideration when assessing effects of modern antidepressant therapy on cognitive function. Keywords: Antidepressant, cognition, SSRI, SNRI, bupropion, reboxetine
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Few studies have evaluated the effect of antidepressants on non-emotional, objectively measured cognitive performance in non-elderly adults with MDD, and they generally have small sample size, are not placebo-controlled and assess treatment effect compared to baseline.
“Studies are challenged by the heterogeneity of cognitive dysfunction and few studies have evaluated the effect of antidepressants on non-emotional, objectively measured cognitive performance in non-elderly, adults with MDD, and they generally have a small sample size, are not placebo-controlled and assess treatment effect compared to baseline (Biringer et al., 2009; McIntyre et al., 2013).”
From A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of vortioxetine on cognitive function in depressed adults (2014) · cites this paper as Biringer et al., 2009
Some evidence suggests sertraline and bupropion have superior neurocognitive enhancing effects compared to other serotonergic agents, and paroxetine is typically associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes.
“Some evidence suggests that sertraline and bupropion have superior neurocognitive enhancing effects compared to other serotonergic agents (Baune and Renger, 2014;Biringer et al., 2009) and that the use of paroxetine is typically associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes (Biringer et al., 2009).”
From Neurocognitive effects of theta burst stimulation for treatment-resistant depression in adults: A systematic review and recommendations for future research (2025) · cites this paper as Biringer et al., 2009
Whether those medications improve neurocognitive function to a greater degree than expected from improvement in depressive symptomology is unclear.
“Whether those medications improve neurocognitive function to a greater degree than expected from improvement in depressive symptomology is unclear (Biringer et al., 2009).”
From Neurocognitive effects of theta burst stimulation for treatment-resistant depression in adults: A systematic review and recommendations for future research (2025) · cites this paper as Biringer et al., 2009
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- Authors
- Biringer, E., Rongve, A., & Lund, A.
- Affiliations
- Fonna Hospital Trust (NO)
- Corresponding author
- Lund, Anders
- Venue
- Current Psychiatry Reviews
- Publisher
- Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
- Published
- 2009-08-01
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 164-174
- ISSN
- 1573-4005 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2160823555
- Cited by
- 73
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Psychiatry Reviews (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- antidepressants, neurocognitive function, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, paroxetine, sertraline, reboxetine, bupropion, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists, cognitive side effects, depression
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