The effect of liothyronine supplementation on electroconvulsive therapy-induced cognitive impairment in patients with mood disorders: a clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of Liothyronine supplementation on memory performance in patients diagnosed with mood disorders (major depressive or bipolar disorder).Methods: This double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted on patients with major depression and bipolar disorder. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group receiving Liothyronine or the placebo group, with 33 patients in each group, for a duration of one month. Memory performance was assessed before the first, fourth, and final ECT sessions, as well as one month after the last session using the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R). Data analysis was performed using independent-samples Chi-square test and the Greenhouse-Geisser correction factor.Results: Liothyronine significantly enhanced communicative learning and visual memory in patients with major depression and bipolar disorder one month after the final ECT session. Additionally, a positive effect of Liothyronine on immediate recall was observed before the last ECT session.Conclusion: Liothyronine supplementation improves ECT-induced cognitive impairment in patients with major depression and bipolar disorder. Further research is necessary to fully comprehend the potential of Liothyronine as an adjunctive treatment for major depression and bipolar disorder.

Keywords

• liothyronine
• electroconvulsive therapy
• memory
• depressive disorder
• bipolar disorder