Electroconvulsive therapy and cognitive dysfunction

Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been established to be safe and highly effective in treating various psychiatric disorders. On the other hand, transient cognitive dysfunction is known to occur after ECT. Retrograde amnesia is more likely to be prolonged than anterograde amnesia, but it can recover to baseline cognitive function within weeks to months after ECT. Cognitive dysfunction associated with ECT varies in the frequency of appearance and degree of effect depending on the method of ECT delivery and stimulus setting conditions, such as electrode placement, pulse width, stimulus dose, and treatment interval. Therefore, it is essential to select the appropriate ECT methodology for the patient's medical condition.