Effects of ACTH 4-10 on ECT-induced memory dysfunctions

• Published in: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 55; no. 4; p. 241
• Main Authors: Small, J G, Small, I F, Milstein, V, Dian, D A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.1977
• Subjects: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - administration & dosage; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - therapeutic use; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Evaluation; Electroconvulsive Therapy - adverse effects; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Learning; Memory Disorders - drug therapy; Memory Disorders - etiology
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1977.tb00169.x
• ISSN: 0001-690X

Double-blind studies of ACTH 4-10 and placebo were conducted in psychiatric patients receiving bilateral ECT to determine whether the polypeptide exerted anti-amnesic effects. Observations after a single ECT were suggestive of some positive effects, but studies between seizures after five or six ECTs showed no significant drug-placebo differences. Although the findings were largely negative, they do not rule out positive effects of ACTH 4-10 on memory. Possibly the designs and timing of the experiments and/or the dosages of ACTH 4-10 employed were unsuitable for demonstrating such influences.