Effect of lamotrigine on cognitive function and serum inflammatory factors in patients with depression of recurrent bipolar disorder

Abstract

In the present study, an effort was made to investigate the effect of lamotrigine on cognitive function and serum inflammatory factors in patients with depression of recurrent bipolar disorder and to explore its possible mechanism.140 patients with depression of recurrent bipolar disorder, admitted from June 2015 to April 2017, were selected as the research subjects, followed by random division into the research group and the control group with 70 cases (n=70) in each group. The control group was treated with sodium valproate and the research group was treated with lamotrigine. After 2 months of treatment, comparison was made between the two groups for the emotional state, cognitive function and serum inflammatory factors. Results showed that the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score and Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale BRMS score in the research group were significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). The time of Trail Making Test-A(TMT-A) and Trail Making Test-B(TMT-B) in the research group was significantly shorter than that of the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The serum levels of MIF, IL-1β and IL-6 in the research group were significantly lower than those in the control group and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Research concluded that lamotrigine may help alleviate the clinical symptoms and improve cognitive function in patients with depression of recurrent bipolar disorder.