title: Rivastigmine treatment for the prevention of electroconvulsive therapy-induced memory deficits in patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective strategy in some treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia. However, ECT is associated with cognitive adverse effects, most notably, memory loss. This study examined the effects of rivastigmine, a selective central nervous system acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, with benefits on cognition in Alzheimer disease, on memory performance in patients with schizophrenia treated with ECT. Thirty inpatients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision schizophrenia treated with ECT were coadministered rivastigmine (3-4.5 mg/d) or placebo in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (maximum period of 4 weeks). Over the ECT course, scores on the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment in subjects receiving placebo showed no significant change, whereas subjects receiving rivastigmine displayed decreased cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment scores, indicating cognitive improvement (P < 0.05). Findings suggest possible involvement of the acetylcholinergic system in mediation of cognitive deficits after ECT and indicate possible beneficial effects of rivastigmine coadministration in minimizing some of these ECT-induced cognitive impairments.
authors: Beer Yaakov-Ness Ziona Mental Health Center, Beer Yaakov, Israel. stryjer@gmail.com
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Stryjer
authors: Dana
authors: D
authors: Ophir
authors: Faina
authors: F
authors: Bar
authors: Baruch
authors: B
authors: Spivak
authors: Abraham
authors: A
authors: Weizman
authors: Rael D
authors: RD
authors: Strous
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine