Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-qxdb6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-27T04:26:47.032Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effects of desmopressin (DDAVP) on memory impairment following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Ebrahim Abdollahian ,
Mohammad R. Sargolzaee ,
Moosareza Hajzade ,
Mohammad D. Mohebbi  and
Arash Javanbakht
Ebrahim Abdollahian
Affiliation:
Ibn E Sina Hospital of Psychiatry
Mohammad R. Sargolzaee
Affiliation:
Ibn E Sina Hospital of Psychiatry
Moosareza Hajzade
Affiliation:
Physiology Department, Qaem Hospital
Mohammad D. Mohebbi
Affiliation:
Ibn E Sina Hospital of Psychiatry
Arash Javanbakht*
Affiliation:
Department of Vice President for Research, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
*
Arash Javanbakht MD, 180 Banafsheh St, Sajjad Blvd, Mashhad, Iran. PC: 91876. Tel: +98 511 7610403; Fax: +98 511 8430249. E-mail: Javanbakht@mums.ac.ir
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

Memory impairment is a common adverse effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Studies on animals and humans suggest that vasopressin improves the cognitive function, and positive effects of desmopressin on memory and learning have been reported. This research was performed for evaluation of the effects of desmopressin in the prevention of memory impairment following ECT.

Methods:

This randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial with placebo administration was performed on 50 patients with psychiatric disorders who were candidates for ECT. Subjects in the case group received 60 µm of intranasal desmopressin daily (in three doses of 20 µm). For the control group 0.9% saline solution was administered in the same way. Memory function was evaluated using Wechsler's Memory Scale three times a week (the first time before the start of ECT and the second and third times after the third and sixth sessions, respectively). Results were analyzed by t-test and Paired t-test.

Results:

The mean age of patients was 29 years (range 20–40). During the course of ECT, patients in the control group demonstrated a meaningful decrease in memory scores (from a base score of 80.15–75.45 in the second test and 72.60 in the third test). Despite this, a meaningful increase in memory scores was observed during the treatment with desmopressin in the case group (from a base score of 73.27–75.70 and 79.13 in the second and the third tests, respectively). There was a meaningful difference between the two groups (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

This study confirms the protective effect of desmopressin against memory impairment. The results confirm that memory impairment is a common side-effect of ECT and suggest that desmopressin may prevent ECT-induced memory impairment by its effects on memory and the learning process.

Keywords

desmopressinECTmemory
Type
Original Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , June 2004 , pp. 130 - 137
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 Blackwell Munksgaard

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Larry, R, Ken, A. Biology of memory. In: Kaplan, HI, Sadock, S, eds. Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, 7th edn. Philadelphia: Lippincott William and Wilkins, 2000: 426–429. Google Scholar
Izquierdo, I, Medina, JH. Systemic administration of ACTH or vasopressin reverses the amnestic effect of posttraining beta-endorphin or electroconvulsive shock but not that of intrahippocampal infusion of protein kinase inhibitors. Neurobiol Learn Mem 1997;68: 197–202.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miller, RD. Anesthesia, 5th edn. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone, 2000. Google ScholarPubMed
Car, H, Borawska, M, Wisniewski, K. The effect of DDAVP on memory process in rats with ‘experimental amnesia’. Acta Neurobiol Exp 1997;55: 221. Google Scholar
Devanand, DP, Lisanby, S, Lo, ESet al. Effects on ECT on plasma VP and oxytocin. Biol Psychiatr 1998;44: 610–616. CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Engelmann, M, Bures, J, Landgraf, R. AVP adminstration via microdialysis into the septom interferes with the aquistion of spatial memory in rats. Neurosci Lett 1992;142: 69–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jachimowicz, A, Holy, Z, Wisniewski, K. The participation of no in the facilitatory effect of AVP on memory. Acta Neurobiol Exp Warsz 1998;58: 37–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Artemowicz, B, Wisniewski, K. Role of NMDA receptor in the effect of AVP on memory processess. Pol S Pharmacol 1998;50: 5–14. Google Scholar
Croiset, G, Nijsen, MJ, Kamphuis, PJ. Role of CRF, VP and antonomin nervous system in learning and memory. Eur J Pharmacol 2000;405: 225–234.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shen, Y, Li, R. The role of neuropeptides in learning and memory. Med Hypotheses 1995;45: 529–538.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laczi, F, Valkusz, Z, Laszlo, FAet al. Effects of AVP and DDAVP on memory healthy individuals and diabetes incipidus patients. Psychoendocrinology 1982;7: 185–193. CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beckwith, BE, Till, RE. Sentence memory affected by AVP analog (DDAVP) in cross-over experiment. Peptides 1985;6: 397–402.Google Scholar
Till, RE, Beckwith, BE. Sentence memory affected by DDAVP in cross-over experiment. Peptides 1985;6: 397–402.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weingartner, H, Gold, P, Ballenger, JCet al. Effect of AVP on human memory function. Science 1981; 211: 601–603.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dons, RF, House, JF, Hood, D, Krehbiel, M. Assessment of DDAVP-enhanced cognitive function in a neurosurgical patient. Mil Med 1989;154: 83–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Couk, DI, Beckwith, BE. Effect of DDAVP on learning of brightness discrimination. Peptides 1982;3: 627–630.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tanaka, T, Yamada, K, Senzaki, Ket al. NC-1900, an active fragment analog of arginine vasopressin, improves learning and memory deficits induced by beta-amyloid protein in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 1998;352: 135–142. CrossRefGoogle Scholar