Long-term cognitive changes were observed in 8 depressed patients whose
pretreatment cognitive impairment (depressive dementia or pseudodementia)
resolved after treatment with ECT. Improved performance on the Mattis
Dementia Rating Scale was maintained throughout a 4-year follow-up period.
Improvements on Memory and Initiation and Perseveration subscales were most
consistent over time. These aspects of cognitive functioning may be the
most susceptible to the effects of depression, and this may be a factor to
consider in clinically evaluating older patients with both depression and
cognitive impairment. The findings indicate that elderly patients with
cognitive dysfunction secondary to depression may experience improvement in
cognitive functioning that is stable over time with remission of the
affective disorder.Abstract Teaser