Acute electroconvulsive therapy in the elderly with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: a literature review.

OBJECTIVES: This study reviewed the evidence regarding the efficacy of acute electroconvulsive therapy for primary psychotic conditions in the elderly.

METHODS: A literature search was performed using the Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases.

RESULTS: Acute electroconvulsive therapy resulted in an improvement of psychotic symptoms in almost all elderly patients, a large proportion of whom had treatment-resistant conditions. No electroconvulsive therapy related fatalities or severe medical complications were encountered.

CONCLUSIONS: Acute electroconvulsive therapy may present a valuable treatment modality for elderly patients with primary psychotic conditions who do not respond adequately to antipsychotic medications.