Can Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) Scores Predict Short-Term Impairments in Memory During Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?

Objective: To determine whether the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) could be used to predict short-term impairments in memory functions during a course of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). Method: Patients with severe depression (n=32) were followed up while they were receiving ECTs, and up to a month after that. They were rated independently and blindly on the MMSE for global cognitive dysfunction, the PGI Memory Scale (PGIMS) for memory loss, and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) for severity of depression. Results: MMSE scores dipped during the course of ECT, but picked up in the week and month following cessation of treatment. The PGIMS scores mimicked this pattern, whereas the MADRS scores continued to decline slowly as the patients improved. MMSE scores were highly correlated with memory impairment (PGIMS scores) prior to, during, and up to one month after treatment with ECT. MMSE scores were the strongest predictor of the PGIMS scores at virtually all these points of assessment. Conclusions: The MMSE can be used to reliably detect and monitor the progress of memory impairment during treatment with ECT and in the few weeks following cessation of treatment. Pre-ECT MMSE scores may be useful in predicting the severity of memory impairment during and shortly after a course of ECT(German J Psychiatry 2007; 10: 8-12).