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Autobiographical memory after electroconvulsive therapy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

André Beyer Mathiassen1,2, Maria Semkovska3, Christoffer Cramer Lundsgaard1,2

  • 1Center for Neuropsychiatric Depression Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Glostrup, Denmark.

The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|May 13, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) causes significant autobiographical memory loss in patients with depression, which appears to be permanent. Right unilateral ECT is less detrimental than bilateral ECT, and higher age may mitigate memory loss.

Keywords:
Autobiographicalamnesiadepressionelectroconvulsive therapy (ECT)memory

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for major depression.
  • Autobiographical memory loss associated with ECT can limit its clinical utility.
  • The precise nature and permanence of ECT-induced autobiographical memory deficits remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the impact of ECT on autobiographical memory in depressed patients.
  • To determine if ECT-induced memory deficits are temporary or permanent.
  • To investigate associations between ECT parameters (e.g., stimulation type) and clinical factors with memory effects.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic meta-analysis of longitudinal studies was conducted.
  • Searches included PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases (up to January 26, 2024).
  • Included studies compared autobiographical memory before and after ECT in depressed patients versus controls or alternative treatments.

Main Results:

  • ECT significantly increased autobiographical memory loss compared to controls (SMD = 0.55).
  • Bilateral ECT had a large effect (SMD = 0.82), while right unilateral (RUL) ECT had a small effect (SMD = 0.32).
  • Higher patient age correlated with less memory loss; memory deficits were stable at long-term follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • ECT demonstrably causes autobiographical memory loss in patients with depression.
  • These memory deficits appear to be persistent and not regained over time.
  • Right unilateral ECT is associated with a lower risk of memory impairment compared to bilateral ECT.