A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the impact of galantamine on anterograde memory impairment during electroconvulsive therapy.

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) continues to be an effective treatment option for patients who fail to respond to pharmacological interventions, are unable to tolerate medications, and show a suboptimal response to behavioral and psychotherapeutic treatments. However, risks for cognitive impairment may contribute to some patients' refusal of ECT.

Methods: The present study examined galantamine as a pharmacological intervention to reduce cognitive adverse effects from ECT.