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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
Successful maintenance electroconvulsive therapy for more than seven years
Jaap Wijkstra1, Willem A Nolen
1Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.wijkstra@azu.nl
The Journal of ECT
|August 30, 2005
Summary
Maintenance electroconvulsive treatment (M-ECT) offers long-term remission for severe depression with psychotic features. This approach demonstrated sustained efficacy and safety, avoiding the need for additional psychiatric admissions or medications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Recurrent major depressive episodes with psychotic features pose significant treatment challenges.
- Long-term management strategies are crucial for patients with severe, recurring mood disorders.
Observation:
- A patient with treatment-resistant depression received maintenance electroconvulsive treatment (M-ECT) for over 7 years.
- She experienced prolonged remission and avoided psychiatric hospitalizations after initiating M-ECT.
Findings:
- M-ECT provided sustained remission for nearly 6 years, with only one mild episode.
- The patient showed no significant cognitive deterioration, suggesting M-ECT's cognitive safety.
- No concurrent antidepressant or mood stabilizer was required during M-ECT maintenance.
Implications:
- M-ECT can be a safe and effective long-term treatment for severe recurrent depression with psychotic features.
- This case highlights the potential of M-ECT as a standalone therapy, reducing polypharmacy.
- Long-term M-ECT may prevent psychiatric hospitalizations and improve quality of life.
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