The Danish Neuropsychological Study of the Adverse Effects of ECT (DANSECT)

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the adverse cognitive side-effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The second aim is to investigate the mechanisms of effect of ECT.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Depressive Disorder; Depression; Cognitive Dysfunction; Electroconvulsive Therapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Electroconvulsive therapy

Detailed Description

ECT has been the most effective treatment of depression for decades. Despite of this, neither the mechanism of action or side-effects are fully elucidated. The reason why some patients relapse shortly after remission is still not completely understood. Thus, there is a need to find predictors of the favourable clinical effect, relapse and side-effects. ECT is considered by professionals to be a safe procedure. Additionally, many patients do not consent to this treatment because they fear a permanent loss of memory or that they will contract a brain damage after the completed ECT series. Therefore, it is very important to examine whether ECT might have negative effects on the structure or function of the brain, using state of the art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques.

DANSECT is a prospective, observational follow-up study with the aim of examining why cognitive side-effects of ECT occur and potentially find predictors for whom they may affect by investigating the ECT-associated cognitive disturbances, structural brain changes and clinical outcomes. Second, DANSECT examines the mechanisms of effect of ECT.

DANSECT comprises an ECT-group (30 patients) and a clinical control group (30 patients). The former consists of patients with depression receiving ECT, and the latter consists of matched patients with depression treated pharmacologically. The examinations will take place at three time-points; before, immediately after ECT or just before discharge, and 6 months after. DANSECT is a naturalistic clinical project. This means that the number of ECT sessions given to the patients in the ECT-group is up to the referring physician.

The aim of DANSECT is to investigate the cognitive side-effects of ECT. Specifically, the research project aims to examine:

1. Prevalence, extent and persistence of adverse cognitive effects following ECT.
2. Associations between neuroimaging findings and cognitive changes following ECT.
3. Predictors of adverse cognitive effects of ECT.

Hypotheses:

1. Consistency in autobiographical memories will be reduced over time in both study groups. However, the reduction will be significantly larger for the ECT patients after ECT compared to the control group. The group difference is expected to be present at both short-term and long-term.
2. Autobiographical memory deterioration is expected to correlate with volumetric changes of the hippocampi.
3. Processing speed, anterograde memory and executive functions will be temporarily deteriorated after ECT. The cognitive changes will correlate with volumetric brain changes and changes in structural connectivity.
4. Baseline atrophy, age, years of education and cognitive reserve will predict the cognitive side-effects following ECT.
5. Machine learning will reveal patterns and inference enabling the development of a predictive model of clinical and cognitive outcome after treatment with ECT, by combining neuropsychological tests, structural and functional neuroimaging (MRI) and other neurobiological measures.

In addition, the aim of DANSECT is to investigate the mechanisms of effect of ECT. The secondary aims of the project are thus to examine:

1. Clinical, biochemical and neurobiological predictors of response to ECT
2. Clinical, biochemical and neurobiological predictors of relapse of depression after ECT
3. Biochemical and neurobiological mechanisms of response to ECT

Hypotheses:

1. Smaller baseline hippocampal volume is associated with a larger post-pre reduction of depressive symptoms
2. Thinner cortical thickness predicts better clinical improvement
3. The cortisol trajectory before ECT is associated with clinical outcome
4. Elevated peripheral baseline VEGF is associated with a larger post-pre reduction of depressive symptoms
5. Baseline microRNA levels are associated with clinical outcome
6. A higher baseline structural connectivity predicts better clinical improvement
7. A larger post-ECT increase in hippocampal volume, cortical thickness, BDNF and VEGF predicts a lower risk of relapse within six months after an ECT series

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 73

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Denmark
  • Copenhagen, Denmark, 2100
    • Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 95 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of two groups of inpatients admitted to one of the recruiting Mental Health Centres (MHC) in the Capital Region of Denmark, diagnosed with depression according to the 10th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and scheduled to ECT series. Patients in the other group does not received ECT and is thus a control group.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 18-95 years
• admitted at the MHC Glostrup, MHC Amager or MHC Copenhagen (or other Mental Health Centres in the Capital Region)
• fulfilling the criteria for depression according to ICD-10 and where ECT is planned.
• must be able to give informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder except for psychotic depression
• Dependency syndrome according to ICD-10.
• Severe somatic or neurological condition (e.g. stroke) confounding results
• Head trauma resulting in unconsciousness for more than 5 minutes
• Severe psychotic symptoms or suicide impulses making transportation hazardous
• Contraindications against MRI
• Pregnancy
• Maintenance ECT or ECT received during the last 6 months
• Any form of compulsory treatment
• Subjects who do not consent to be informed of incidental findings that could have healthcare implications will not be scanned and can thus not be included

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
ECT; Group of patients receiving ECT during their hospitalization.	Other: Electroconvulsive therapy; Electroconvulsive therapy is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. Repeated as deemed needed by the patients' doctor. Typically prescribed 10 times (3 times pr week)
Non-ECT; Group of patients not receiving ECT during their hospitalization.
Healthy controls; Group of healthy participants.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Columbia Autobiographical Memory Interview - Short Form	Measures consistency in autobiographical memories over time. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: 60. A higher score means a better cognitive performance.	at baseline (before ECT series)
Columbia Autobiographical Memory Interview - Short Form	Measures consistency in autobiographical memories over time. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: 60. A higher score means a better cognitive performance.	at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series
Columbia Autobiographical Memory Interview - Short Form	Measures consistency in autobiographical memories over time. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: 60. A higher score means a better cognitive performance.	at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale	Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 6-item. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: 22. A higher score means more symptom severity.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
The Screen for Cognitive Impairment for Psychiatry	Screening tool to measure cognitive performance across several cognitive domains. Scoring: Minimum 0. Maximum: Unlimited. A higher score means a better cognitive performance.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Reys complex figure task	Measures visuospatial, constructional, executive and anterograde memory abilities. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: 36. A higher score means a better cognitive performance.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Trail Making Test A	Measures psychomotor speed. Scoring: Minimum:0. Maximum: Unlimited. A higher score means a worse cognitive performance.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Trail Making Test B	Measures complex psychomotor speed / executive function. Scoring: Minimum:0. Maximum: Unlimited. A higher score means a worse cognitive performance.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Digit span (WAIS-IV)	Measures attention span (forwards) and working memory (backwards). Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: 16.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Five Point Test	Measures spatial fluency / problem solving. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: Unlimited. A higher score means a better cognitive performance.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Color-Word Interference Test (D-KEFS)	Measures psychomotor speed, meantal flexibility and set-shifting. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: Unlimited. A higher score means a worse cognitive performance.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Symbol Digit Modalities Test	Measures psychomotor speed. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: Unlimited. A higher score means a worse cognitive performance.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire - Danish version	Measures subjective experience of the vividness of ones mental visual imagery. Scoring: Minimum: 16. Maximum: 80. A higher score means more vividly experienced mental imagery.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Vocabulary (WAIS-IV)	Measures vocabulary and serves as an estimate of premorbid intellectual ability. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: 57. A higher score means a better vocabulary.	at one time point: at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series
Cognitive complaints in bipolar disorder rating assessment	Self-report of experienced cognitive difficulties. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: 48. A higher score means more symptom severity.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Squire Subjective Memory Questionnaire	Self-report of experienced memory difficulties. Scoring: Minimum: -72. Maximum: +72. A higher score means a better cognitive function.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
Paired Associates Learning (CANTAB)	Visuospatial pattern localization. Scoring: Minimum 0. Maximum: Unlimited. A higher score (errors) means a worse cognitive performance.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)
WHO-5	Self-report of well-being in the last 14 days. Scoring: Minimum: 0. Maximum: 25. A higher score means a better experience of well-being.	at 3 time points: at baseline (before ECT series), at 5 (+/- 2) days after completion of the ECT series, at follow-up (6 (+/-2) months after the ECT series)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Copenhagen
• Collaborators: Mental Health Centre Glostrup
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Poul Videbech, Professor, University of Copenhagen & Mental Health Centre Glostrup

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• UK ECT Review Group. Efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy in depressive disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2003 Mar 8;361(9360):799-808. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12705-5.
• Abbott CC, Gallegos P, Rediske N, Lemke NT, Quinn DK. A review of longitudinal electroconvulsive therapy: neuroimaging investigations. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2014 Mar;27(1):33-46. doi: 10.1177/0891988713516542. Epub 2013 Dec 30.
• Andrade C, Bolwig TG. Electroconvulsive therapy, hypertensive surge, blood-brain barrier breach, and amnesia: exploring the evidence for a connection. J ECT. 2014 Jun;30(2):160-4. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000133.
• Ahdidan J, Hviid LB, Chakravarty MM, Ravnkilde B, Rosenberg R, Rodell A, Stodkilde-Jorgensen H, Videbech P. Longitudinal MR study of brain structure and hippocampus volume in major depressive disorder. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2011 Mar;123(3):211-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01644.x. Epub 2011 Jan 11.
• Arts B, Peters M, Ponds R, Honig A, Menheere P, van Os J. S100 and impact of ECT on depression and cognition. J ECT. 2006 Sep;22(3):206-12. doi: 10.1097/01.yct.0000235925.37494.2c.
• Awata S, Konno M, Kawashima R, Suzuki K, Sato T, Matsuoka H, Fukuda H, Sato M. Changes in regional cerebral blood flow abnormalities in late-life depression following response to electroconvulsive therapy. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2002 Feb;56(1):31-40. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1819.2002.00927.x.
• Bergsholm P, Larsen JL, Rosendahl K, Holsten F. Electroconvulsive therapy and cerebral computed tomography. A prospective study. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1989 Dec;80(6):566-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1989.tb03027.x.
• Beyer JL. Volumetric brain imaging studies in the elderly with mood disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2006 Feb;8(1):18-24. doi: 10.1007/s11920-006-0077-0.
• Bolwig TG, Hertz MM, Paulson OB, Spotoft H, Rafaelsen OJ. The permeability of the blood-brain barrier during electrically induced seizures in man. Eur J Clin Invest. 1977 Apr;7(2):87-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1977.tb01578.x.
• Bolwig TG. How does electroconvulsive therapy work? Theories on its mechanism. Can J Psychiatry. 2011 Jan;56(1):13-8. doi: 10.1177/070674371105600104.
• Bolwig TG. Neuroimaging and electroconvulsive therapy: a review. J ECT. 2014 Jun;30(2):138-42. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000140.
• Bronge L, Wahlund LO. White matter changes in dementia: does radiology matter? Br J Radiol. 2007 Dec;80 Spec No 2:S115-20. doi: 10.1259/bjr/35265137.
• Brunoni AR, Baeken C, Machado-Vieira R, Gattaz WF, Vanderhasselt MA. BDNF blood levels after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with mood disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2014 Jul;15(5):411-8. doi: 10.3109/15622975.2014.892633. Epub 2014 Mar 16.
• Campbell JJ 3rd, Coffey CE. Neuropsychiatric significance of subcortical hyperintensity. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001 Spring;13(2):261-88. doi: 10.1176/jnp.13.2.261. No abstract available.
• Coffey CE, Weiner RD, Djang WT, Figiel GS, Soady SA, Patterson LJ, Holt PD, Spritzer CE, Wilkinson WE. Brain anatomic effects of electroconvulsive therapy. A prospective magnetic resonance imaging study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1991 Nov;48(11):1013-21. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1991.01810350053008.
• Dukart J, Regen F, Kherif F, Colla M, Bajbouj M, Heuser I, Frackowiak RS, Draganski B. Electroconvulsive therapy-induced brain plasticity determines therapeutic outcome in mood disorders. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Jan 21;111(3):1156-61. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1321399111. Epub 2013 Dec 30.
• Fitzgerald PB, Laird AR, Maller J, Daskalakis ZJ. A meta-analytic study of changes in brain activation in depression. Hum Brain Mapp. 2008 Jun;29(6):683-95. doi: 10.1002/hbm.20426. Erratum In: Hum Brain Mapp. 2008 Jun;29(6):736.
• Herrmann LL, Le Masurier M, Ebmeier KP. White matter hyperintensities in late life depression: a systematic review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2008 Jun;79(6):619-24. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2007.124651. Epub 2007 Aug 23.

Helpful Links

• Danish Health Authority: Reference Programme for Treating Unipolar Depression in adults. 2007.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 12, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): November 25, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 6, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 8, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): November 12, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 16, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 11, 2025
• Last Verified: February 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Depression; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Hippocampus; Autobiographical memory; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Electroconvulsive therapy; Cognitive side-effects
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Neurocognitive Disorders; Cognition Disorders; Mood Disorders; Cognitive Dysfunction; Depression; Depressive Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: DANSECT

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: There is no plan to share Individual Patient Data.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No