Posted by linkadge on June 4, 2008, at 9:05:06
In reply to Re: Wow! Excellent point » linkadge, posted by Zeba on June 3, 2008, at 23:15:59
There was a big controversy about how data was collected about memory loss. Supposedly the majority of the (old) data was collected by asking the patient themselves about memory loss while the still in the hospital.
This is dumb because
a) it is very difficult for the patient to determine memory loss so soon after the ECT. The parts of their brain that are even capable of such a reflective task are probably not even functioning.
b) The sudden improvement in mood may mask such a task too. The rapid improvement in mood may leave the patient with an inacurate confidence of memory.
c) The ECT may improve and worsen memory. ECT may temprorarily lift the depression which will likely improve memory in itself, yet damamge the brain at the same time. In this way there is an initial precetion of no memory loss (or memory improvement) yet it is actually worsened. I.e. when the next depression rolls around the patient is worse off (back in depression with a worse brain structure).
d) There are things the patient may never realize are gone. If you wipe out a memory and its associated connections then certain memories are gone for good. Sometimes family members are more likely to notice the patient's poor memory. My mother would never admit that years of psychiatric drugs have worsened her memory but it is clear to the rest of the family.
e) Sometimes the brain is overconfident. Many brain experiments have shown that the brain is very quick to excuse its mistakes. Split brain operations are a good example of this. The left brain has a very hard time admitting that there is anything wrong aftr traumatic brain injury (perhaps a coping mechanism). The left brain is good at piecing together and excusing inconsistencies in behavior and thought. For instance, a patient may have a massive stroke that affects the right portion of the brain (so much so that behavioral manifestations are obvious) yet claim there is absolutely nothing wrong and that he is fine.
So now they do unilateral on the right hemisphere. Is this really causeing less brain damage or just less brain damage that the left brain (and ultimately the portion of the brain that answers the questions) will *admit* to?
Sure you may still be able to speak and may never admit there is anything wrong, but you may loose certain preceptions and abilities for which you will never fully recover.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:832202
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080528/msgs/832848.html