Electroconvulsive therapy-responsive depression in a patient with progressive supranuclear palsy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that can cause significant motor and cognitive impairments.
• Depression is a common comorbidity in PSP, often complicating patient care and impacting quality of life.
• Effective management of depression in PSP patients is crucial but can be challenging due to potential treatment side effects.

Observation:

• A 68-year-old female patient diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy presented with severe depression.
• The patient underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for her depressive symptoms.
• Neurologic status, including motor and cognitive functions, was closely monitored throughout the ECT course.

Findings:

• Electroconvulsive therapy resulted in a successful resolution of depressive symptoms in the PSP patient.
• The patient tolerated the electroconvulsive therapy sessions well, with no significant adverse events reported.
• No worsening or improvement in the underlying neurologic symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy was observed during or after ECT.

Implications:

• Electroconvulsive therapy may be a safe and effective treatment option for depression in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy.
• This case highlights the potential for managing psychiatric comorbidities in neurodegenerative diseases without exacerbating core neurologic deficits.
• Further research is warranted to explore the efficacy and long-term outcomes of ECT in a larger cohort of PSP patients with depression.