Sara-
I can only speak from my experience of having 2 years of maintenance ECT plus courses in between in crisis that were inpatient- a total of more than 40 shocks-

I can tell you for me it turned off EVERY part - in other words the brain lost memory on all fronts- coundnt drive or find my way around my own block- and the amnesia was retrograde as well as current (no pun intended)

but I think you are suggesting the same as Caroline which is to make a deliberate effort to learn and relearn with cues anything of value and importance to daily life and the prospect of a future life ongoing (we hope)

Thanks for all comments and support- Petunia I hold you dear
Kathy