ACTH4-10 and memory in ECT-treated and untreated patients. I. Effect on consolidation

The aim of the study was to investigate the possible effect of a single dose of ACTH4-10 (30 mg subcutaneously) on memory as measured with a test battery appropriate for the study of "consolidation". Twenty depressive inpatients participated in the intraindividual double-blind cross-over comparison between ACTH4-10 and placebo in connection with the second and third treatment in the ECT series. ACTH4-10 (or placebo) was administered subcutaneously 30 min after unilateral ECT. Memory functions were examined 90 min before and 150 min after the administration of the drug. A similar design was used in a study of 20 inpatients with neurotic depression not treated with ECT. The results of both studies give no evidence of a positive influence of a single dose of ACTH4-10 on consolidation of memory. Possible sources of error are discussed.