Adverse effects on memory in patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy: a PRISMA systematic review

Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure that uses an electric current to treat severe psychiatric cases that have not responded to drug therapy. The procedure can sometimes cause certain types of amnesia. This study aims to review the literature on the adverse effects of ECT, focusing on cognitive changes in memory. Methods: Systematic review using the PRISMA method. The data search was carried out in the LILACS, PubMed, and SciELO databases, using the terms as descriptors: Electroconvulsive Therapy, amnesia, and memory, combined with the Boolean operator ''and''. It included primary studies published in full between 2014 and 2024 in Portuguese, English, or Spanish on the effects of electroconvulsive therapy on memory. Results: 14 articles were included in the systematic review, which identified memory impairment, particularly in the autobiographical type. The duration of alterations in the ability to retain and recall information varies, ranging from a few hours after the procedure to several weeks. Applying brief comparative batteries before and after ECT treatment may be useful in detecting the onset of amnesia. Conclusions: Electroconvulsive therapy is an effective treatment for remission of severe psychiatric symptoms. However, its practice can result in adverse cognitive effects, especially on memory, which should be monitored from the outset of treatment.