Cognitive Adverse Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Discrepancy Between Subjective and Objective Measures?

Objectives: The character and duration of cognitive adverse effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are unclear. This study investigated (1) the sensitivity of a short cognitive test battery to cognitive adverse effects of ECT, (2) the relation between subjective and objective cognitive adverse effects, and (3) patient characteristics associated with more subjective than objective adverse effects.

Methods: Forty-one patients with unipolar or bipolar depression referred to ECT underwent assessments at baseline, 5 to 7 days post-ECT, and 3 months post-ECT.

Long-Term Risk of Developing Dementia After Electroconvulsive Therapy for Affective Disorders.

Objectives: Severe depression is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, however, whether treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) modify this risk remains unknown.

Methods: In this matched cohort study, 1089 consecutive in-patients with affective disorders, receiving ECT during the period 1982 to 2000, were matched with 3011 in-patients with affective disorders not treated with ECT (non-ECT), and 108,867 individuals randomly selected from the background population. The comparison cohorts were matched on sex, age, and the non-ECT cohort was further matched according to diagnoses and admission period and hospital.

A pilot study on high amplitude low frequency-music impulse stimulation as an add-on treatment for depression.

Objective: High Amplitude Low Frequency-Music Impulse Stimulation (HALF-MIS) is a form of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility, efficacy, and potential side effects of HALF-MIS, used as an add-on treatment for depression.

Methods: This is an open randomized controlled pilot study.

The Danish Depression Database.

Aim Of Database: The purpose of the Danish Depression Database (DDD) is to monitor and facilitate the improvement of the quality of the treatment of depression in Denmark. Furthermore, the DDD has been designed to facilitate research.

Study Population: Inpatients as well as outpatients with depression, aged above 18 years, and treated in the public psychiatric hospital system were enrolled.

Late mental health changes in tortured refugees in multidisciplinary treatment.

The aim of this study was to examine long-term changes in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and in health-related quality of life in traumatized refugees 23 months after admission to multidisciplinary treatment. The study group comprised 45 persons admitted to the Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims in 2001 to 2002. Data on background, trauma, present social situation, mental symptoms (Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25, Hamilton Depression Scale, Harvard Trauma Questionnaire), and on health-related quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref) were collected before treatment and after 9 and 23 months.