Cognitive Effects Associated With Hippocampal Neurogenesis Induced by ECT in the Treatment of Depression (CONHECT)

Cognitive Effects Associated With Hippocampal Neurogenesis Induced by Electroconvulsive Therapy in the Treatment of Depression

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the treatment of choice for drug-resistant depression (30% of patients), or when there is a short-term risk to the patient's life. Despite its robust efficacy and rapid onset of action, its use is limited both by the limited range of treatment available and by the cognitive effects sometimes induced. The present study focuses on the links between the efficacy of ECT, its cognitive effects and the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus (hippocampal neurogenesis) associated with this treatment.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD); Bipolar Disorder Depression

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 87

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• France
  • Paris, France, 75014
    • Sainte-Anne Hospital (GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences)

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study focuses on a population of adult patients suffering from unipolar or bipolar depression and treated with electroconvulsive therapy.

In order to monitor the impact of depression on cognitive functions, including memory, and on biological markers and brain imaging, 35 depressed subjects treated without ECT will be recruited.

And to monitor the effect of time on memory, 35 healthy volunteers will be recruited.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Study population: depressed subjects treated with ECT

   • Male or female over 18 years of age
   • Hospitalised at the Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne
   • Suffering from a unipolar or bipolar major depressive episode, according to DSM5 criteria
   • Indication for ECT treatment
   • Patient has given informed written consent
   • Beneficiary of a social security scheme

2. Control population: depressed subjects treated without ECT

   • Male or female over 18 years of age
   • Hospitalised at the Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne
   • Suffering from a unipolar or bipolar major depressive episode, according to DSM5 criteria
   • Patient who has given informed written consent
   • Beneficiary of a social security scheme

3. Control population: healthy volunteers

   • Male or female over 18 years of age
   • Patient with written informed consent
   • Beneficiary of a social security scheme

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Study population: depressed subjects with ECT

   • Psychiatric comorbidity: schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorder, dependence on a substance other than tobacco
   • Neurological comorbidity: Parkinson's disease, dementia
   • ECT treatment in the 6 months prior to inclusion
   • Compulsory care
   • Protected adults, persons under court protection measures
   • Persons deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision;
   • Refusal of consent to ECT treatment
   • Contraindications to ECT (HTIC, recent history of stroke, severe uncontrolled arterial hypertension, contraindication to anaesthesia)
   • Contraindications to MRI (patients with metal prostheses, claustrophobia)
   • Pregnant or breast-feeding women

2. Control population: depressed subjects without ECT

   • Psychiatric comorbidity: schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorder, dependence on any substance other than tobacco
   • Neurological comorbidity: Parkinson's disease, dementia
   • ECT treatment in the 6 months prior to inclusion
   • Compulsory care
   • Protected adults, persons under court protection measures
   • Persons deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision;
   • Pregnant or breast-feeding women

3. Control population: healthyvolunteers

   • Protected adults, persons under legal protection,
   • Persons deprived of their liberty by judicial or administrative decision ;
   • persons hospitalised for purposes other than research
   • Clear psychiatric history
   • Dependence on any substance other than tobacco
   • Neurological history: Parkinson's disease, dementia
   • Pregnant or breast-feeding women

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Depressed patient treated with electroconvulsivotherapy; The indication for ECT treatment is established by the department's medical team. Participants are not assigned to ECT as part of this observational study.
Depressed patient treated without electroconvulsivotherapy; The indication for antidepressant treatment is established by the department's medical team. Participants are not assigned to ECT as part of this observational study.
Healthy volunteers; Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers free of psychiatric disorders.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Correlation between increased hippocampal volume and post-ECT retrograde amnesia	After a course of ECT, up to 3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier St Anne

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 6, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 14, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): May 14, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 24, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 25, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): October 28, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 28, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 25, 2024
• Last Verified: September 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Bipolar and Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Mood Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Bipolar Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major
• Other Study ID Numbers: D17-P018

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No