[Mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy in depression]

The knowledge of the therapeutic efficacy of the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) dates back to the fourties. Since then important investigation efforts have been carried out, to analyze the mechanism of action by which the ECT achieves its therapeutic effect. The present work reviews the different hypothesis that have been related to the mechanism of action or the ECT, as well as the large neurophysiological findings, believed to be involved in its therapeutic effect.