New Depression Treatment Matches ECT with Less Memory Loss

Magnetic seizure therapy offers similar benefits to electroconvulsive therapy without the cognitive side effects.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:00pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image of a human brain in profile, with glowing synaptic connections and neural pathways, conceptually illustrating the intricate inner workings of the brain and the potential of a new depression treatment.A new brain stimulation therapy offers a safer alternative to electroconvulsive treatment for severe depression, potentially expanding access to this life-changing intervention.San Diego Today

A new study has found that magnetic seizure therapy (MST) can be as effective as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating severe depression, but with a much lower risk of memory loss and other cognitive side effects. The study randomly assigned nearly 300 adult patients to receive either MST or ECT, and found that 48% of patients in both groups experienced a meaningful clinical recovery. However, more participants treated with ECT had worsening memory compared to the MST group.

Why it matters

This is a significant finding, as the fear of memory loss and confusion often leads patients to avoid ECT, even though it can be a life-saving treatment for those with severe depression who don't respond to other therapies. By proving that magnetic therapy can match the effectiveness of electricity without the high cost to the patient's memory, researchers hope this will open the door for thousands more people to seek help for their depression.

The details

The study, to be published in the May issue of The Lancet Psychiatry, found that the primary difference between ECT and MST is how they stimulate the brain. ECT uses electrical currents to induce a therapeutic seizure, which can spread to brain areas responsible for memory, while MST uses high-intensity magnetic pulses to trigger a more targeted seizure, sparing those memory-related regions. Overall, 12 people in the ECT group and 3 in the MST group stopped treatment due to non-serious adverse events.

  • The study will be published in the May 2026 issue of The Lancet Psychiatry.
  • The study was conducted across the U.S. and Canada with nearly 300 adult patients.

The players

Dr. Daniel Blumberger

A senior scientist at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto and the study's co-leader.

Dr. Zafiris Daskalakis

A professor and head of psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine in California, and a co-author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“This is a major milestone for the field. Our findings show that magnetic seizure therapy can deliver similar benefits with much less impact on memory, which could make this kind of treatment a more viable option for many people who need it.”

— Dr. Daniel Blumberger, Senior scientist, Center for Addiction and Mental Health

“If approved and implemented more broadly, it could transform how we deliver brain stimulation therapies and significantly improve the patient experience.”

— Dr. Zafiris Daskalakis, Professor and head of psychiatry, UC San Diego School of Medicine

What’s next

While MST still needs further work to support regulatory approval, the findings pave the way for it to move into the mainstream, researchers said.

The takeaway

This study represents a major breakthrough in the treatment of severe depression, offering a new therapy that can match the effectiveness of ECT while dramatically reducing the risk of memory loss and other cognitive side effects. If adopted more widely, MST could significantly improve the patient experience and open the door for thousands more people to seek this life-saving treatment.