Why the study?
Does premedication with atropine or glycopyrrolate worsen memory and concentration deficits in depressed patients receiving ECT compared to placebo?
Does premedication with atropine or glycopyrrolate worsen memory and concentration deficits in depressed patients receiving ECT compared to placebo?
Premedication with anticholinergic agents (atropine or glycopyrrolate) does not differentially affect the short-term memory deficit associated with ECT compared to placebo.
Anticholinergic premedication need not be avoided for memory concerns in ECT; leaves open optimal regimens and long-term cognitive effects.
Memory changes are known to be associated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The anticholinergic drugs used prior to the procedure have also been suspected of causing cognitive deficits. The present study was designed to assess memory and concentration in depressed patients receiving 0.6 mg atropine, 0.2 mg glycopyrrolate or placebo before anaesthesia and ECT. Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic agent lacking central nervous system effects. Anaesthesia and bilateral ECT resulted in significant short-term memory deficit, but this was seen equally in each of the groups of patients irrespective of which premedication was given. As no regimen was superior, as far as effect on memory is concerned, premedication for ECT should be chosen according to other criteria.
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Kelway et al. (1986) studied this question.
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