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ECT: III: Enduring Cognitive Defecits?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

D. Weeks ,
C. P. L. Freeman  and
R. E. Kendell
D. Weeks
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, (Royal Edinburgh Hospital), Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
C. P. L. Freeman
Affiliation:
Royal Victoria Hospital, Comely Bank, Edinburgh EH4 2DN
R. E. Kendell
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, (Royal Edinburgh Hospital), Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
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Summary

Cognitive function was compared in carefully matched groups of ECT and non-ECT treated depressives and in matched normal volunteer controls on admission, at 4 months and at 7 months. ECT caused little impairment at 4 months and no impairment at 7 months on a comprehensive cognitive test battery. Severity of depression had a marked effect on cognitive function. Within the ECT group bilateral ECT caused more impairment than unilateral ECT one week after a course but 3 months later the differences had disappeared. They were equally antidepressant.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 137 , Issue 1 , June 1980 , pp. 26 - 37
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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