Ginkgo Biloba to Improve Short-Term Memory Losses Associated With Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
| Status: | Terminated |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 7/20/2018 |
| Start Date: | February 2003 |
| End Date: | March 2005 |
Ginkgo Biloba for ECT-induced Memory Deficits
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe or medication-resistant
depression and other psychiatric disorders. A common side effect of ECT is problems with
short-term memory during treatment. This study will test whether taking ginkgo biloba (GB)
prior to and during the course of ECT will lessen the effects of ECT on short-term memory.
depression and other psychiatric disorders. A common side effect of ECT is problems with
short-term memory during treatment. This study will test whether taking ginkgo biloba (GB)
prior to and during the course of ECT will lessen the effects of ECT on short-term memory.
ECT is a safe and effective modern treatment for severe depression and other psychiatric
conditions. An estimated 100,000 treatments occur per year in the United States. ECT's most
bothersome adverse effect is memory loss, with all patients receiving ECT experiencing some
degree of short-term cognitive impairment. At present there are no known effective
pharmacologic treatments to prevent or improve ECT-induced cognitive dysfunction. Preliminary
research has shown the herbal preparation GB aids cognitive function and memory in both
patients with dementia and in normal volunteers. This study will investigate the utility and
safety of GB to minimize the cognitive impairment typically associated with ECT.
Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to receive either twice-daily GB or
placebo. Participants will begin taking GB or placebo as soon as consent is obtained and
baseline testing is completed in order to reach steady-state plasma levels of GB prior to
ECT. Patients will undergo cognitive testing at specified intervals following ECT. The final
study visit will occur one week after a participant's final ECT treatment.
conditions. An estimated 100,000 treatments occur per year in the United States. ECT's most
bothersome adverse effect is memory loss, with all patients receiving ECT experiencing some
degree of short-term cognitive impairment. At present there are no known effective
pharmacologic treatments to prevent or improve ECT-induced cognitive dysfunction. Preliminary
research has shown the herbal preparation GB aids cognitive function and memory in both
patients with dementia and in normal volunteers. This study will investigate the utility and
safety of GB to minimize the cognitive impairment typically associated with ECT.
Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to receive either twice-daily GB or
placebo. Participants will begin taking GB or placebo as soon as consent is obtained and
baseline testing is completed in order to reach steady-state plasma levels of GB prior to
ECT. Patients will undergo cognitive testing at specified intervals following ECT. The final
study visit will occur one week after a participant's final ECT treatment.
Inclusion Criteria
- DSM-IV diagnosis of major depressive episode, unipolar or bipolar, without psychotic
features
- Receiving ECT for depression
- Able to complete detailed neuropsychological testing
Exclusion Criteria
- Psychotic symptoms
- Lifetime history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or mental retardation
- Diagnosis of anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or eating disorder
within 1 year of study entry
- Delirium, dementia, or amnestic disorder
- Any active general medical condition or central nervous system disease which could
affect cognition or response to treatment
- Diagnosis of active substance abuse or dependence within 6 months of study entry
- ECT within 6 months of study entry
- Known or suspected coagulation disorder
- Anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications, including warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel,
and ticlopidine
- Thiazide diuretics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, trazodone, antipsychotic
medications, herbal medications, or other nutritional supplements
- Pregnancy
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