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Paris Jackson underwent electroconvulsive therapy for depression. Experts warn it can cause permanent memory loss
Developing
A 2003 review also found that in a sample of 703 patients, persistent or permanent memory loss was reported by between 29% and 55% of patients. Some studies claim to show ECT performs better than other depression treatments, but a 2017 review of studies since 2009 found that in most of these studies the ECT group was also on antidepressants – making it hard to interpret the results.
A 2023 study found that ECT is less effective than ketamine, which is also used for severe cases of depression, in the short-term – though the study did not provide any follow-up data for either treatment. In the interview, Jackson said that although she felt the treatment “was working”, she said getting “shocked once a month for the rest of my life” wasn’t feasible for her.
A 2020 review of 16 studies found that in 15 of these papers, participants described memory problems after receiving ECT. My colleagues and I found that all 11 were very small, were flawed in various ways and failed to comply with today’s methodological standards Four of the 11 studies found ECT significantly superior to sham ECT at the end of treatment.
Two studies found that psychiatrists reported a difference but patients did not. Five found no difference between real ECT and sham ECT.
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- In the interview, Jackson said that although she felt the treatment “was working”, she said getting “shocked once a month for the rest of my life” wasn’t feasible for her.
- My colleagues and I found that all 11 were very small, were flawed in various ways and failed to comply with today’s methodological standards Four of the 11 studies found ECT significantly superior to sham ECT at the…
- Five found no difference between real ECT and sham ECT.
- Two studies found that psychiatrists reported a difference but patients did not.
- Some studies claim to show ECT performs better than other depression treatments, but a 2017 review of studies since 2009 found that in most of these studies the ECT group was also on antidepressants – making it hard…
- A 2023 study found that ECT is less effective than ketamine, which is also used for severe cases of depression, in the short-term – though the study did not provide any follow-up data for either treatment.
- A 2003 review also found that in a sample of 703 patients, persistent or permanent memory loss was reported by between 29% and 55% of patients.
- A 2020 review of 16 studies found that in 15 of these papers, participants described memory problems after receiving ECT.
Sources
- The Independent — source text fetched for this pass link