Impact of treatment with electroconvulsive therapy on cognitive function in depressive disorders

Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a universally recognized and highly effective method of treating depressive disorders. Regardless, its applicability remains a matter of some controversy, mostly due to the tendency to associate ECT with the method introduced in 1938 by Cerletti. It is important to emphasize that currently used ECT is completely safe and possible side-effects, if any, manifest as impaired cognitive function and are temporary in nature. Furthermore, physicians and researchers have looked for ways of minimizing their occurrence and determining which factors are directly responsible for ECT-related adverse effects. Our study offers a review of the current state of knowledge and research on the subject.