title: Effect of piracetam on ECT-induced cognitive disturbances: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
abstract: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is still the fastest, most effective, and frequently life-saving therapeutic intervention in several forms of depression and some other psychiatric disorders. Transient memory disturbances are frequent after ECT. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to investigate the effects of piracetam on ECT-induced confusion and memory disturbances. Thirty-eight consecutively admitted patients with depressive illness or schizophrenia requiring ECT were given either piracetam or an identical-looking placebo during the period of ECT treatment and for 2 weeks afterward. Daily dosage of piracetam was 7.2 g, given orally for the first 2 weeks while patients underwent ECT (loading phase), followed by 4.8 g for the rest of the study period. Participants were evaluated by standardized clinical rating scales and cognitive psychologic tests 1 to 2 days before ECT, 1 day after their third and sixth ECT treatments, and 2 weeks after they had completed their ECT courses. Piracetam had no significant effect in preventing ECT-induced memory disturbances. All clinical ratings were consistently, albeit not significantly, better in the piracetam group, suggesting that piracetam may have augmented the effects of ECT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China. tangwk@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Wai Kwong
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Gabor S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ungvari
authors.forename: Henry Chi Ming
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010889:Piracetam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010919:Placebos; D010889:Piracetam