The effect of fronto-frontal and temporo-parietal unilateral ECT on retrograde memory.

An intraindividual, double-blind crossover comparison of the retrograde effect on memory of unilateral nondominant fronto-frontal and temporo-parietal ECT was performed in connection with the second and third treatments of an ECT series. Treatment technique was standardized and seizure duration was measured by means of EEG. Memory functions were examined 1 hr before and 2 hr after ECT. Three operationally defined memory variables: immediate memory, delayed memory, and their difference, forgetting, were scored. There were no differences between fronto-frontal and temporo-parietal ECT in regard to the amount of methohexital and suxamethonium chloride employed, the mean time of electrical stimulation, and the seizure duration. There were significantly higher delayed memory and lower forgetting scores after fronto-frontal electrode placement.