This study aims at the questions about anterograde amnesia. How often does it occur in patients being treated with bilateral ECT for a depressive disorder, how does anterograde amnesia develop during the treatment course and how does it subside…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Mood disorders and disturbances NEC
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Primary outcome measure is the test for anterograde amnesia: the verbal
learning test.
Secondary outcome
Secondary outcome measures are the visual association test for anterograde
amnesia and post ictal confusion.
Background summary
The most important side-effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is
retrograde- and anterograde amnesia. Retrograde amnesia is a form of amnesia
where someone will be unable to recall events that occured before the
development of amnesia. Anterograde amnesia is a loss of the ability tot create
memories after the event that caused the amnesia occurs. A lot is known about
retrograde amnesia. After ECT some patients will still have trouble remembering
episodes during their treatment. Less is known about anterograde amnesia and
ECT.
Anterograde amnesia can occur during the ECT course and usually subsides in a
couple of weeks after cessation of the ECT. At least this is what usually
occurs and is known by the professionals.
Study objective
This study aims at the questions about anterograde amnesia. How often does it
occur in patients being treated with bilateral ECT for a depressive disorder,
how does anterograde amnesia develop during the treatment course and how does
it subside after termination af the treatment. Moreover, how does the
prevalence, development during and after the treatment compare to patients on
antidepressants for depressive disorder? Is anterograde amnesia influenced by
cognitive disorders prior to ECT and how is it influenced by post ictal
delirium after ECT treatment?
Study design
Prior to ECT patients will be screened with the depression part of the Schedule
for Affective Disorders and schizophrenia, Hammilton Rating Scale for
Depression and the Minimal Mental State Examination. After inclusion 20
consecutive patients will be tested for anterograde amnesia with the verbal
learning test and the visual association test. During ECT the tests will be
done after 2 and 4 weeks. ALso after each treatment post ictal confusion will
be tested. Response to ECT will be monitored using the Hammilton Depression
Rating Scale weekly.
After the ECT course both the verbal learning test and the visual association
test will be repeated.
The comparison group of 20 patients being treated with antidepressants will be
tested with the same scales before and after the treatment with the
antidepressant.
A total of 40 patients is included in the study of wich 20 are being treated
with pharmacotherapy and 20 with ECT.
Study burden and risks
Burden will be minimal, the results of this research will be of benefit for
future patients to be treated with ECT. Hopefully this research improves our
knowledge of anterograde amnesia and will it improve our information for those
undergoing this treatment in the future.
postbus2040
3000 CA Rotterdam
NL
postbus2040
3000 CA Rotterdam
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Depressive disorder according to DSM IV criteria, at least a score of 18 on the Hammilton depression rating scale, informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Dementia, neurological of other severe somatic conditions, drug or alcohol abuse
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL31680.078.10 |