Overgeneral memory predicts stability of short-term outcome of electroconvulsive therapy for depression.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the predictive value of overgeneral memory (OGM) for outcome of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression.


METHODS
The Autobiographical Memory Test was used to measure OGM in 25 patients with depression before ECT. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) was administered weekly to 1 week posttreatment.


RESULTS
Overgeneral memory did not predict HRSD scores from the last ECT treatment, but did predict HRSD change scores from the last treatment to 1-week follow-up: patients high in OGM experienced a relatively greater increase in HRSD scores after the last treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Results further extend the status of OGM as a predictor of an unfavorable course of depression to a previously unstudied ECT population.
Raes
Filip
F
Department of Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. filip.raes@psy.kuleuven.be
Sienaert
Pascal
P
Demyttenaere
Koen
K
Peuskens
Joseph
J
Williams
J Mark G
JM
Hermans
Dirk
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests