Abstract
Both impaired and improved cognitive function after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients may occur. We have previously found improved cognitive function 6 weeks after ECT in this group. The aim of this study was to report 6-month follow-up results from the same prospective project monitoring cognitive effects of ECT. Thirty-one patients with MDD were assessed with the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), the Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ), and the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale prior to, 6 weeks, and 6 months after ECT. Compared to baseline, the speed of processing, attention/vigilance, and reasoning/problem solving test results were significantly improved. The depression score was significantly reduced. There were no changes in subjective memory complaint. There was no significant relationship between the EMQ and the MCCB subtests, but a significant correlation between current depression level and the EMQ. Six months after ECT the cognitive improvement reported at 6-week follow-up was maintained and extended. The corresponding decrease in depressive symptoms and stability in subjectively reported memory complaints suggest that the antidepressant effects of ECT do not occur at the expense of cognitive function.
Highlights
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a potent method for inducing symptom relief in treatmentresistant depression
Originally developed for schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients, we have previously demonstrated that the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) is capable of generating a separate neurocognitive profile in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients compared to healthy controls [27]
The scores of 5 of the 10 MCCB tests were significantly improved across time: Trail Making Test A (TMT-A), Symbol Coding, Fluency, Mazes, and Continuous Performance Test-Identical Pairs (CPT-IP), assessing the domains speed of processing, reasoning/problem solving, and attention/ vigilance, respectively
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a potent method for inducing symptom relief in treatmentresistant depression. The literature on cognitive function after ECT for major depressive disorders (MDDs) is inconclusive, with reports of both impaired [2] and improved [3] cognitive capacity during the first weeks after treatment. The Sackeim et al [2] study presents comprehensive cognitive function data from a relatively long time period after ECT (6 months) and reports deficiencies in speed of processing and autobiographic memory at this time point, whereas the other cognitive functions assessed were returned to normal. Their participant group was heterogeneous in that some of the patients received square wave, brief
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