ECT and memory: brief pulse versus sine wave.
The authors evaluated the effects on memory of ECT given with either unilateral or bilateral electrode placement and with brief-pulse or sine-wave stimulus waveform. Clinical criteria determined the mode of ECT and the treatment parameters. As expected, right unilateral ECT produced less memory impairment than bilateral ECT. Brief-pulse ECT resulted in less memory impairment than sine-wave ECT during the first hour after treatment but had similar effects on memory after the first hour. Brief-pulse ECT might produce less memory impairment than conventional sine-wave ECT; however, this can probably be achieved in clinical practice only if treatment parameters that keep stimulation close to the seizure threshold are developed individually for each patient.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013997:Time Factors