In electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)–related amnesia, which type tends to persist longer?

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Multiple Choice

In electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)–related amnesia, which type tends to persist longer?

Explanation:
Retrograde amnesia tends to persist longer after electroconvulsive therapy. The treatment disrupts memory encoding and consolidation around the time of the procedure, so memories for events occurring before the therapy can be temporarily impaired for a longer period. In contrast, anterograde memory impairment—difficulty forming new memories after treatment—usually improves more quickly as brain function recovers. While both types can occur, the enduring, longer-lasting impairment is the retrograde type, making it the best answer.

Retrograde amnesia tends to persist longer after electroconvulsive therapy. The treatment disrupts memory encoding and consolidation around the time of the procedure, so memories for events occurring before the therapy can be temporarily impaired for a longer period. In contrast, anterograde memory impairment—difficulty forming new memories after treatment—usually improves more quickly as brain function recovers. While both types can occur, the enduring, longer-lasting impairment is the retrograde type, making it the best answer.

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