Memory, Attention, and Executive Functions Before and After Sine and Pulse Wave Electroconvulsive Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Major Depression

Fujita, Akiko; Nakaaki, Shutaro; Segawa, Kazuhisa; Azuma, Hideki; Sato, Kiyoe; Arahata, Keiko; Otsuki, Kazuyuki; Hori, Miki; Mochida, Yoshihito; Uchida, Megumi; Yamada, Tomoko; Nakamura, Chie; Akechi, Tatsuo; Furukawa, Toshi A

doi:10.1097/00124509-200606000-00006

Cited by 32 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…41 58 Other studies, however, have found no change immediately after a course of ECT. For example, Dubovsky et al 41 found no change in psychomotor speed as measured by TMT part A or Digit Symbol at the conclusion of a course of either RUL or BL ECT (analyzed together).…”

Section: Information Processing Speed/reaction Timementioning

confidence: 96%

“…41,58,59 For instance, in a recent study Tsourtos et al 57 found that depressed patients performed significantly slower after a course of ECT (BL and RUL electrode placement) on an inspection time task than at baseline; performance improved significantly by 4-to 6-week follow-up. By contrast, the performances for the control group continued to improve (ie, quicken) throughout the study.…”

Section: Information Processing Speed/reaction Timementioning

confidence: 99%

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Cognitive Side Effects of Brief Pulse Electroconvulsive Therapy

Ingram¹,

Saling²,

Schweitzer³

2008

The Journal of ECT

116

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Cognitive impairment remains a common side effect of brief pulse electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and its minimization has been the motivation for many different treatment modifications over the decades. The level of impairment has been shown to vary according to different technical parameters of ECT including, but not limited to, electrode placement, dosage, and waveform, as well as patient factors, such as age and premorbid intellect. Most past research has focused the assessment on memory impairments associated with ECT. Specifically, ECT can result in both anterograde and retrograde memory impairments. However, the study of non-memory cognitive functions after ECT has been relatively neglected. Furthermore, although considerable recovery has been observed within weeks of treatment completion, data are lacking in the longer term. The following article presents an overview of what is currently known about the pattern and recovery of cognitive side effects of ECT. Controversies within the literature and areas requiring further research are highlighted.

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Section: Information Processing Speed/reaction Timementioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Information Processing Speed/reaction Timementioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive Side Effects of Brief Pulse Electroconvulsive Therapy

Ingram¹,

Saling²,

Schweitzer³

2008

The Journal of ECT

116

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…While some recent studies have shown that ECT adversely effects cognitive and memory function (15–17) specifically within the first 7 to 8 days (18), others have reported that cognition returns to baseline (19) or even improves (20, 21) following treatment. Cognitive measurements included autobiographical (episodic) and working memory, information processing, and executive function.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short- and Long-term Cognitive Outcomes in Patients With Major Depression Treated With Electroconvulsive Therapy

Vasavada

Leaver

Njau

et al. 2017

J ECT

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Objectives The risk of cognitive impairment is a concern for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Here, we evaluate the acute, short-term and long-term effects of ECT on tests of processing speed, executive function, memory, and attention. Methods Forty-four MDD patients receiving ECT (61% right unilateral (RUL), 39% mixed RUL-bitemporal, left UL and/or bitemporal lead placement underwent a cognitive battery prior to ECT (T1), after 2 sessions (T2), and at the end of the index (T3). Thirty-two patients returned for a 6-month follow-up (T4). Thirty-three controls were assessed at two times ~4 weeks apart (C1 and C2). Results At baseline, patients showed deficits in processing speed, executive function and memory compared to controls. Including depression severity and lead placement covariates, linear mixed model analysis showed significant improvement in only processing speed between T1 and T3 and between T1 and T4 in patients. An acute decline in attention and verbal memory was observed at T2, but performance returned to baseline levels at T3. Longitudinal cognitive outcomes did not differ in patients defined as ECT responders/non-responders. Limitations Episodic memory was not measured and medications were not controlled between T3 and T4. Controls also showed improvements in processing speed, suggesting practice effects for some measures. Conclusions In this naturalistic ECT treatment study, results show that the initiation of ECT may transiently affect memory and executive function, but cognition is largely unaffected during and post ECT. While some functions might improve, others will at least remain stable up to 6-months following the ECT index.

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“…6 A few studies focused on the impact of sine and pulse waveforms on anterograde memory and other cognitive functions. 7 Other side effects of ECT include headache, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue. 8Y11 Electroencephalogram measures of ECT treatment were modestly associated with clinical outcome, greater ictal power, delta coherence, and postictal suppression predictors of greater therapeutic benefit.…”

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confidence: 99%

Magnetic Seizure Therapy of Treatment-Resistant Depression in a Patient With Bipolar Disorder

et al. 2009

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly efficacious treatment for severe depression. However, a disadvantage of ECT is the risk of cognitive side effects. Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is a novel treatment modality, by which therapeutic seizures are induced using rapidly alternating strong magnetic fields. In this case study, we report on successful MST treatment of an episode of otherwise treatment-resistant depression in a patient with bipolar I disorder. Compared with published ECT results, MST seizures in this case report were of shorter duration, lower ictal electroencephalogram amplitude, and less pronounced postictal suppression. Furthermore, the patient did not experience subjective side effects and particularly recovered time to full orientation more quickly with MST than what has been previously described for ECT. Taken together, these results suggest that MST, compared with ECT, might have antidepressant effects and may have fewer clinical side effects.

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Memory, Attention, and Executive Functions Before and After Sine and Pulse Wave Electroconvulsive Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Major Depression

Abstract: Anterograde memory improved to a statistically significant or nonsignificant degree at 1 week post-ECT in comparison with pre-ECT regardless of waveforms. Attention/executive functions tended to deteriorate with sine wave ECT but improved with pulse wave ECT.

Cited by 32 publications

References 18 publications

Cognitive Side Effects of Brief Pulse Electroconvulsive Therapy

Cognitive Side Effects of Brief Pulse Electroconvulsive Therapy

Short- and Long-term Cognitive Outcomes in Patients With Major Depression Treated With Electroconvulsive Therapy

Magnetic Seizure Therapy of Treatment-Resistant Depression in a Patient With Bipolar Disorder

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