Am J Psychiatry 1977; 134:997-1001
Copyright © 1977 by American Psychiatric Association

SPECIAL ARTICLES

ECT and memory loss

LR Squire

The author reviews several studies that clarify the nature of the memory loss associated with ECT. Bilateral ECT produced greater anterograde memory loss than right unilateral ECT and more extensive retrograde amnesia than unilateral ECT. Reactivating memories just before ECT did not produce amnesia. Capacity for new learning recovered substantially by several months after ECT, but memory complaints were common in individuals who had received bilateral ECT. Other things being equal, right unilateral ECT seems preferable to bilateral ECT because the risks to memory associated with unilateral ECT are smaller.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. A. Wishart, A. J. Saykin, L. A. Rabin, R. B. Santulli, L. A. Flashman, S. J. Guerin, A. C. Mamourian, D. R. Belloni, C. H. Rhodes, and T. W. McAllister Increased Brain Activation During Working Memory in Cognitively Intact Adults With the APOE {epsilon}4 Allele Am J Psychiatry, September 1, 2006; 163(9): 1603 - 1610. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Lekwauwa, D. McQuoid, and D. C. Steffens Hippocampal Volume Is Associated With Physician-Reported Acute Cognitive Deficits After Electroconvulsive Therapy J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, March 1, 2006; 19(1): 21 - 25. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Trepel and R. J. Racine Blockade and Disruption of Neocortical Long-term Potentiation Following Electroconvulsive Shock in the Adult, Freely Moving Rat Cereb Cortex, April 1, 1999; 9(3): 300 - 305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. R. Sommer, A. Satlin, L. Friedman, and J. O. Cole Glycopyrrolate Versus Atropine in Post-ECT Amnesia in the Elderly J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, January 1, 1989; 2(1): 18 - 21. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. R. Squire, P. C. Slater, and P. L. Miller Retrograde Amnesia and Bilateral Electroconvulsive Therapy: Long-term Follow-up Arch Gen Psychiatry, January 1, 1981; 38(1): 89 - 95. [Abstract] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1977 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us