DOES ELECTROCONVULSIVE SHOCK PRODUCE RETROGRADE AMNESIA

In an attempt to test the theory that electroconvulsive shock (ECS) causes retrograde amnesia (RA) by disrupting consolidation of a memory trace, the effect of a single ECS on retention of one trial conditioned autonomic response (change in heart rate, and number of boluses defecated) was investigated. No RA was found which suggests that ECS does not act by disrupting consolidation of a memory trace but probably does cause disinhibition of certain susceptible responses. © 1969.