A placebo-controlled evaluation of vasopressin for ECT-induced memory impairment.
Vasopressin may be involved in normal memory functions and may alleviate certain memory impairments. In this study, the usefulness of vasopressin to relieve electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-induced memory impairment was evaluated using a placebo-controlled, random assignment, double-blind design. Patients were 33 depressives receiving bilateral ECT. Vasopressin, in a nasal spray, was administered q.i.d. from the first through the fifth ECT. Extensive memory testing evaluated both retrograde and anterograde amnesia; ratings of depression and patient ratings of subjective memory complaints were also obtained. Results did not show statistically significant evidence of benefit from vasopressin, though a number of comparisons were in the predicted direction. The role of vasopressin in reducing memory impairment of various types remains to be elucidated.
Mattes
J A
JA
Psychopharmacology Research Association of Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
Pettinati
H M
HM
Stephens
S
S
Robin
S E
SE
Willis
K W
KW
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000647:Amnesia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008236:Lypressin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010153:Paired-Associate Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D008236:Lypressin