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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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The effects of ECT on cognitive functioning in the elderly
— a review | | Author(s) | Caroline E M Tielkes, Hannie C Comijs, Esmée Verwijk |
| Journal title | International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, vol 23, no 8, August 2008 |
| Pages | pp 789-795 |
| Source | http://www.interscience.wiley.com |
| Keywords | Psychiatric treatment ; Mental health [elderly] ; Depression ; Clinical surveys ; Literature reviews. |
| Annotation | Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as a single course or in maintenance form (M-ECT) is an effective treatment for depressed older people. However, ECT may have adverse effects on cognition. The authors reviewed all studies from 1980 to 2006 on ECT and cognition in people aged 55+ or a mean age of 55, and with valid measurements of cognition before and after ECT. Of 15 eligible studies, 9 were focused exclusively on older people. Three studies reported verbal learning recall problems post-ECT, while three studies found positive effects of ECT on memory, speed of processing and concentration. Global cognitive functioning in patients with cognitive impairment improved in all studies. At follow-up, most studies reported improvement of cognitive functions. Learning verbal information and executive functioning were impaired in M-ECT patients, whereas global cognition remained stable after M-ECT over a year. Given the limited amount of research on ECT on older people's cognitive functioning, more extensive research is needed - and with larger sample sizes. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-080819514 A |
| Classmark | LP: D: ENR: 3G: 64A |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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