It is postulated that electro-convulsive shock therapy produces general deterioration of cognitive functions, of which memmory losses are only one part. Evidence of post-shock changes was obtained with two parallel forms of the Wechsler Memory Test. Fifteen patients tested just before and after a period of therapy showed a 15% loss of memory. Fourteen patients tested one day after and two weeks after a period of therapy showed a relative gain of 28%. Recovery of mental functions is slow and may not be complete, but this is hard to judge since there is seldom accurate knowledge of abilities before the psychotic outbreak. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)