Memory Defects During Metrazol Therapy

Memory defects resulting from metrazol therapy have been commonly observed. It is our purpose to detail the nature of these defects, to record their frequency, to indicate a possible connection with dosage and also to consider the mechanism producing impairment of memory and its relation to therapeutic results. We record pronounced memory defects in 4 cases and less marked changes in 20 others. REPORTS OF CASES Case 1. —A woman aged 66 with agitated depression of two months' duration. Two previous depressions. Recovery after eight metrazol convulsions; development of confusion and marked memory defect. Recovery from amnesia three months later, with return of depressive trends. Mrs. M. K., referred by Dr. A. J. Rosanoff in November 1938, was suffering from depression and agitation associated with self-accusatory ideas of a sexual nature. There had been two previous attacks. After the birth of a son in 1890 she was melancholic for two