Abstract Background and purpose: One of the most common complications of depression and treatment with ECT as one of the most effective treatments for depression is problem related to memory. This study was performed with aim of determination of the effects of Ginkgo pill on depression and cognition disturbance in this patients. Materials and methods: In this clinical trial study, 81 major depressed inpatients who was admitted in Hajar hospital allocated randomly in two groups (case and control). patients had indications of bilateral ECT. Before and at the end of treatment period with ECT, cognition status of patients was evaluated by Mini Mental State Exam questionnaire and depression severity was evaluated with Hamilton depression questionnaire. In case group, patients was treated with Ginkgo pill 40 mg each 8 hours and control group was treated with placebo for ECT treatment period (2weeks). Data analyzed by software SPSS 11 / 5 t-test, mean and ANOVA. Results: Between the two groups there was no statistically significant differences between age, gender, marital status, employment, duration of disease, depression and cognition score (P>0.05). The average scores in the field of cognitive problems and depression status of patients before and after ECT in both groups had significant difference (P<0.001) and case groups was better in both condition. Conclusion: Result of this study revealed the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba in, cognition and depression status of major depress patients who treated with ECT, probably related to flavenoids and antioxidant component of this plant.

Keywords: Key words: Cognition, depression, ECT, ginkgo biloba

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