TY - JOUR

T1 - Depression, memory and electroconvulsive therapy

AU - Coetzer, Bernardus

PY - 2019/4

Y1 - 2019/4

N2 - Current neuroscience suggests that although short-term memorydifficulties frequently occur immediately after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT),longer-term problems are less common. However, gaps in our knowledge remain regarding longer-term cognitive problems after ECT, including memory function.Some of these relate to the complexities surrounding cognitive testing andinterpretation of test results. An important question in clinical decision-making is why, despite current evidence suggesting long-term memory problems are less frequent, some patients still report subjective memory difficulties. To further advance clinical practice and the neuroscience surrounding post-ECT cognitive function, assessment of cognitive function, possibly including neuropsychological testing, should potentially become more routine as part of clinical practice.

AB - Current neuroscience suggests that although short-term memorydifficulties frequently occur immediately after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT),longer-term problems are less common. However, gaps in our knowledge remain regarding longer-term cognitive problems after ECT, including memory function.Some of these relate to the complexities surrounding cognitive testing andinterpretation of test results. An important question in clinical decision-making is why, despite current evidence suggesting long-term memory problems are less frequent, some patients still report subjective memory difficulties. To further advance clinical practice and the neuroscience surrounding post-ECT cognitive function, assessment of cognitive function, possibly including neuropsychological testing, should potentially become more routine as part of clinical practice.

U2 - 10.1192/bjb.2018.59

DO - 10.1192/bjb.2018.59

M3 - Editorial

C2 - 30160226

VL - 43

SP - 51

EP - 53

JO - BJPsych Bulletin

JF - BJPsych Bulletin

SN - 2056-4694

IS - 2

ER -