Magnetic therapy matches standard shock therapy for depression but spares memory

Depression is a heavy burden that steals joy and memory. Standard shock therapy, known as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT, works well but often hurts autobiographical memory. This memory loss can make it hard to recall personal events. A new trial tested magnetic seizure therapy, or MST, to see if it could match ECT without the memory cost. The study involved 239 adults with major depressive disorder at centers in Canada and the USA. Participants received either MST or standard right unilateral ECT. Researchers watched for remission and memory changes over a long period. The results showed that MST was non-inferior to standard ECT for treating depression. Remission rates were slightly lower for MST, but the difference was small and not clinically significant. More importantly, far fewer people on MST experienced worsening memory. Only 2.7 percent of MST participants had memory issues compared to 17.3 percent on standard ECT. Some people stopped treatment due to minor side effects, but serious safety events were not reported. The study had some limits, including not reaching its full enrollment goal and lacking direct input from people with lived experience. Despite this, the findings suggest MST is a strong option for those who worry about memory loss.