Using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) to assess the cognitive impact of electroconvulsive therapy on visual and visuospatial memory

Abstract

Patients receiving ECT displayed a range of visual and visuospatial deficits over the course of their treatment. These deficits were most prominent for tasks dependent on the use of the right medial temporal lobe; frontal lobe function may also be implicated. The CANTAB appears to be a useful instrument for measuring the adverse cognitive effects of ECT on aspects of visual and visuospatial memory.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex of Major Depression: Improving Visual Working Memory, Reducing Depressive Symptoms

“…It has also been used successfully to detect deficits in visuospatial short-term memory in neurosurgical patients with temporal or frontal lobe excision (Owen et al, 1995). Specifically, Falconer et al (2010), in a study involving Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), showed that the CANTAB can assess the cognitive impact of ECT on visual working memory.…”

“…Since the CANTAB is sensitive to brain dysfunctions in frontal and temporal regions, it is highly appropriate for assessing cognitive functions, especially in studies involving passage of electrical current on the frontal and temporal regions, by means of bilateral electrodes (Falconer, Cleland, Fielding, & Reid, 2010). Considering that our study involves applying direct current stimulation to the brain, we decided to use this battery.…”

“…Studies show that the CANTAB Depression Battery can discriminate the cognitive profile of depression from other disorders and is uniquely sensitive to MD; also, some tests such as the Delayed Matching to Sample (DMS) and Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM) can specifically detect visual memory deficits in MD (Egerhazi et al, 2013). Finally, the CANTAB has been specifically developed to assess the nature of memory deficits (Falconer et al, 2010), especially visual memory, which makes it an efficient measure to assess memory deficits. From an administration standpoint, the CANTAB has highly standardized administrations, with automated response recording and millisecond precision.…”

The Use of ECT and MST in treating depression

“…Falconer et al (2010) used computerized neuropsychological testing and found signifi cant impairments in visual and visuospatial memory during, and in the week following ECT (Falconer et al, 2010). Most impairments resolve within one month following ECT; however, impairment remained in some domains (e.g.…”

Neurocognitive Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Psychiatric Disorders, Mechanism of Action And its Prevention: Review Article

“…The commonest complains from patient post-ECT includes retrograde amnesia and loss of autobiography memory 31 . Amnesia episode may last from 1 to 6 months after the end of ECT sessions, but there is no impairment of acquisition and retention of new memories 34 .Another author's indicated that memory problems could be solved after a one-month intervention 35 .Fraser et al observed that memory deficits caused by ECT usually last for less than six months 36 . Apart from most of the patients returning to their previous cognitive status, few still suffers from permanent drawbacks in their memory 29 .…”