Abstract
We examined the relation between age and recovery of memory functions after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In a group of patients 20-65 years of age, older depressed patients treated with ECT experienced more severe and longer lasting memory deficits than did younger patients. Testing conducted 24-72 h after a course of ECT showed more severe deficits in older patients for verbal and visuospatial anterograde memory, and for retrograde memory. The difference between younger and older subjects was marginal at 1 month follow-up, seen only in differences in verbal anterograde memory. At 6 months follow-up, no difference in memory test scores between older and younger patients was observed. Older patients are more vulnerable to cognitive effects of ECT, and these effects last longer.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 39-42 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Convulsive Therapy |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - 1993 |
| Externally published | Yes |