TY - JOUR
T1 - Neurocognitive functioning after electroconvulsive therapy in late-life depression
T2 - A 4-year prospective study
AU - Obbels, Jasmien
AU - Vansteelandt, Kristof
AU - Bouckaert, Filip
AU - Dols, Annemiek
AU - Stek, Max
AU - Verwijk, Esmée
AU - Sienaert, Pascal
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Despite the proven efficacy and safety of ECT, there is still concern about the possible cognitive side effects of ECT in older patients. In this study, we aimed to characterize the long-term cognitive effects of ECT in patients with late-life depression (LLD) from before the start until 4 years after the index ECT course.METHODS: Fourty one patients aged 55 years and older with a unipolar depression, referred for ECT, were included. The neuropsychological test battery was assessed prior to ECT, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years after the last ECT session.RESULTS: We did not find any statistically significant cognitive changes from before the start to 4 years after ending the ECT course. Although we could not detect cognitive changes at group level, we found clinically important differences on an individual level.CONCLUSION: Cognitive performance in patients with LLD runs a stable course from before the start of ECT until 4 years after the index course. At an individual level, however, both cognitive decline and improvement can be witnessed. Older patients can tolerate ECT and most of them will not experience long-term cognitive side effects.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Despite the proven efficacy and safety of ECT, there is still concern about the possible cognitive side effects of ECT in older patients. In this study, we aimed to characterize the long-term cognitive effects of ECT in patients with late-life depression (LLD) from before the start until 4 years after the index ECT course.METHODS: Fourty one patients aged 55 years and older with a unipolar depression, referred for ECT, were included. The neuropsychological test battery was assessed prior to ECT, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years after the last ECT session.RESULTS: We did not find any statistically significant cognitive changes from before the start to 4 years after ending the ECT course. Although we could not detect cognitive changes at group level, we found clinically important differences on an individual level.CONCLUSION: Cognitive performance in patients with LLD runs a stable course from before the start of ECT until 4 years after the index course. At an individual level, however, both cognitive decline and improvement can be witnessed. Older patients can tolerate ECT and most of them will not experience long-term cognitive side effects.
KW - Aged
KW - Cognition
KW - Depression
KW - Depressive Disorder/therapy
KW - Electroconvulsive Therapy
KW - Humans
KW - Neuropsychological Tests
KW - Prospective Studies
KW - Treatment Outcome
U2 - 10.1111/acps.13252
DO - 10.1111/acps.13252
M3 - Article
C2 - 33150605
SN - 0001-690X
VL - 143
SP - 141
EP - 150
JO - Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
JF - Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
IS - 2
ER -