ECT

OBJECTIVES: Following on from our previous work looking at the interrater reliability of assessing seizure adequacy for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), we sought to examine whether a specific teaching module could improve the reliability of visual inspection of electroencephalography (EEG) recordings for specific features of seizure length, presence of polyspike, δ wave activity, and post-ictal suppression. METHODS: Twelve medical practitioners at varying levels of training and ECT experience rated 15 EEG traces after minimal training and a further set of 15 EEG traces after a more detailed training...

Failure to respond to antidepressants probably is the most common indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The literature seems to be divided as to whether medication resistance has a negative influence on the efficacy of subsequent ECT. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to investigate the effect of previous pharmacotherapy failure on the efficacy of ECT. Relevant cohort studies were identified from systematic search of the PubMed electronic database. Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis: the overall remission rate amounts to 48...

BACKGROUND: Remission of illness in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) is achieved in less than half of patients initially treated with medication. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is another treatment option. We report the speed of response and remission rates in a cohort of depressed patients who received a course of acute-phase ECT in the initial phase of an ongoing multicenter randomized trial of continuation ECT versus pharmacotherapy. METHOD: Patients with MDD according to DSM-IV criteria received bilateral ECT 3 times weekly...

This article reviews 3 current theories of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). One theory points to generalized seizures as essential for the therapeutic efficacy of ECT. Another theory highlights the normalization of neuroendocrine dysfunction in melancholic depression as a result of ECT. A third theory is based on recent findings of increased hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in experimental animals given electroconvulsive seizures. Presently, the endocrine theory has the strongest foundation to explain the working mechanism of ECT...

In this narrative review, the current knowledge base on the efficacy and the practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is reviewed, and its relevance for the practising psychiatrist is appreciated. In the past decade, several large-scale studies have confirmed the significant superiority of ECT in the treatment of severe and refractory psychiatric conditions, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. However, the efficacy of ECT is not reflected in current treatment algorithms, where ECT is often reserved as a last resort...

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INTRODUCTION: In the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10 and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV classification systems, catatonia is classified as a subtype of schizophrenia. However, catatonia is more frequently associated with mood disorders than schizophrenia. It is also associated with organic conditions. Catatonia responds to treatment with benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy rather than antipsychotics...

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether starting antidepressant medication at the start of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) reduces post-ECT relapse and to determine whether continuation pharmacotherapy with nortriptyline (NT) and lithium (Li) differs in efficacy or adverse effects from continuation pharmacotherapy with venlafaxine (VEN) and Li. METHODS: During an acute ECT phase, 319 patients were randomized to treatment with moderate dosage bilateral ECT or high-dosage right unilateral ECT...

BACKGROUND: While electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in major depression is effective, cognitive effects limit its use. Reducing the width of the electrical pulse and using the right unilateral electrode placement may decrease adverse cognitive effects, while preserving efficacy. METHODS: In a double-masked study, we randomly assigned 90 depressed patients to right unilateral ECT at 6 times seizure threshold or bilateral ECT at 2.5 times seizure threshold, using either a traditional brief pulse (1...

CONTEXT: Medication resistance is the leading indication for use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in major depression. The practice of stopping antidepressant medications prior to ECT derived from studies in the 1960s and 1970s in nonresistant samples. There is also continuing controversy regarding the relative efficacy and adverse effects of right unilateral and bilateral ECT. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that, compared with placebo, concomitant treatment with nortriptline or venlafaxine during the ECT course enhances short-term efficacy without a meaningful effect on adverse effects and reduces the rate of post-ECT relapse, and to test the hypotheses that high-dose, right-sided, unilateral ECT is equivalent in efficacy to moderate-dosage bilateral ECT and retains advantages with respect to cognitive adverse effects...

CONTEXT: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is highly effective for treatment of major depression, but naturalistic studies show a high rate of relapse after discontinuation of ECT. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of continuation pharmacotherapy with nortriptyline hydrochloride or combination nortriptyline and lithium carbonate in preventing post-ECT relapse. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted from 1993 to 1998, stratified by medication resistance or presence of psychotic depression in the index episode...