Neurocognitive Effects of Combined Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Venlafaxine in Geriatric Depression: Phase 1 of the PRIDE Study.

•What is the primary question addressed by this study? What are the acute neurocognitive effects of ultrabrief pulse, dose titrated, right unilateral ECT, and venlafaxine in elderly adults with major depressive disorder?•What is the main finding of the study? There were statistically significant declines in performance across neurocognitive measures. However, the magnitude of decline was clinically modest, with small differences relative to baseline, and some cognitive performance only fell into the mildly impaired range.•What is the meaning of the finding? The combination of RUL-UB ECT with venlafaxine is a relatively cognitively safe treatment in late-life depression.