Kastytis Dapšys, Inga Griškova-Bulanova, Rolandas Kaukėnas, Aldona Šiurkutė, Valentinas Mačiulis
Abstract
Auditory event-related potential (ERP) P300 is neurophysiological method of study of human cognitive functions, such as attention and working memory. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective method of treatment of different, mainly affective, treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. However the mechanisms of action of ECT are not clear and sometimes there are negative effects on the memory. The influence of ECT on P300 potential is poorly studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of ECT on the auditory ERP P300.
38 patients (21 female and 17 male) were studied. Average age was 44.5±13.5 years. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to diagnosis. First group consisted of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), while the patients with affective disorders were included into the second group. 2 age-matched groups of healthy controls were also formed. ERPs were recorded two times – at the baseline and after the last procedure of ECT course at 3 electrode sites (Fz, Cz and Pz). The medication of patients has not changed during the course of ECT. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using PANSS scale in the case of SSD and HAMD and MADRS scales in the case of affective disorders. 4 parameters of P300 were measured: latency of N2, latency and amplitude of P300 and recognition time of target stimuli.
Results have shown that the parameters of P300 potential of patients from both groups were abnormal in comparison with P300 of persons of control groups. The clinical symptoms of schizophrenia and depression have significantly improved after the course of ECT. ECT had positive effect on the P300 potential in the group of SSD – its amplitude has increased at all three sites of recording. In the case of affective disorders the positive changes of P300 potential were less marked.
Article in Lithuanian
doi:10.5200/sm-hs.2012.013
Keyword(s): lectroconvulsive therapy; schizophrenia; P300
DOI: 10.5200/254
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