• Christine Mohn and Bjørn Rishovd Rund.
• Research Department, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Wergelands gate 10, 3004 Drammen, Norway. Electronic address: h.c.mohn@psykologi.uio.no.
• J Affect Disord. 2019 Mar 1; 246: 368-375.

BackgroundThere is a lack of knowledge of possible cognitive side effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) beyond the first few months after treatment. We aim to describe cognitive effects and symptom remission 2 years after ECT in major depressive disorders.MethodTwenty-seven depression patients were assessed with the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ) before and 2 years after ECT. Their scores were compared with those of healthy matches. Depression and remission status were assessed with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Main statistical analyses were ANOVAs and linear mixed model tests.ResultsAt baseline, the patient group was significantly impaired on 7 of 10 cognitive tests compared to the control group. Two years later, this gap was reduced to impairment on 5 of 10 tests. Within the patient group, neurocognitive function either increased significantly from baseline to follow-up, or there was no change. Two years after ECT, 62.9% of the patients were in remission. Those in remission reported better subjective memory function, but displayed no different neuropsychological test results, compared to the non-remitters.LimitationsMajor limitations were low sample size and lack of uniform ECT procedure.ConclusionsWe found improved neurocognitive function 2 years after ECT. This effect occurred regardless of remission status, suggesting that ECT induces unique cognitive boosting processes.Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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