• Assess the ability of galantamine to protect patients from the cognitive side effects of ECT, especially memory deficits. [ Time Frame: Study Duration ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Evaluate the hypothesis that galantamine may enhance or quicken the anti-depressant action of ECT. [ Time Frame: Study Duration ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Assess the post ECT impact of galantamine on depression and cognitive functioning at 1-month post discharge from the hospital [ Time Frame: Last Month of Study ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

The purpose of the study is to see if galantamine HBr (Razadyne) is safe and can help treat problems with thinking and memory caused by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

• Major Depression
• Bipolar Depression
• Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressed Type

• Drug: Razadyne
• Drug: Placebo

Inclusion Criteria:

• Criteria to enter the study include males and females between the ages of 18-90 (females must be post menopausal) and a DSM-IV diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features, Bipolar Disorder, depressed type, or Schizoaffective Disorder, depressed type (19).

Exclusion Criteria:

• DSM-IV diagnoses of dementia and its subtypes
• Substance use disorder (active use within the last 6 months)
• Organic mental disorders; seizure disorder
• Unstable physical disorder or physical disorder judged to significantly affect the central nervous system function
• A heart rate of <60
• A systolic blood pressure < 90
• Heart block
• Pre-existing sick-sinus
• Chronic treatment with beta blockers
• Any cardiac arrythmia
• Hypotension
• Coronary artery disease
• Liver and renal function impairment
• Urge incontinence, colitis Crohn's disease, GI motility disorders, asthma and COPD
• Treatment with anti-cholinergic and cholinomimetic medications; and
• Female patients who are pregnant.
• Additionally, women subjects must be postmenopausal, surgically sterile, or using prescription oral contraceptives (e.g. estrogen-progestin combinations) , contraceptive implants (e.g. NorplantTM, DepoProveraTM ), or transdermally delivered contraceptives (Ortho EvraTM) before entry and throughout the study; and have a negative serum b-HCG pregnancy test at screening.

Note: Abstinence and the use of double barrier contraceptive methods are not acceptable in this study.