Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders

Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders

Treatment approaches for psychological disorders fall into three main categories: psychological, biological, and sociocultural. Each approach targets different aspects of mental health, requiring varying levels of education and training.
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as a...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

[The revised version of the Y-BOCS: responsivity and other psychometric properties].

Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie·2024

Same author

[Value-based healthcare in mental health care: a practical example].

Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie·2024

Same author

Big Five personality characteristics are associated with depression subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression in older adults.

International journal of geriatric psychiatry·2017

Same author

d-cycloserine addition to exposure sessions in the treatment of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists·2016

Same author

The effect of pain on presence and severity of depressive disorders in older persons: The role of perceived control as mediator.

Journal of affective disorders·2016

Same author

Depression in later life: a more somatic presentation?

Journal of affective disorders·2014

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Published on: August 15, 2017

[Electroconvulsive therapy in depressed adolescents].

M C van Niel¹, J M Hegeman, H J G M van Megen

¹Afd. Rietschans, Meerkanten GGz Flevo-Veluwe, Ermelo. mniel@meerkanten.nl

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde

|September 8, 2007

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) effectively treated two adolescent women with severe, treatment-resistant depression. This suggests ECT is a viable, safe option for adolescents when other treatments fail.

More Related Videos

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Published on: April 11, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Published on: August 15, 2017

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Published on: April 11, 2019

Area of Science:

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Neuroscience
Psychopharmacology

Background:

Major depression with psychotic features in adolescents often presents treatment resistance to standard antidepressant regimens and psychotherapy.
Adolescent psychiatry exhibits reluctance towards electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) due to concerns about potential cognitive side effects, despite its established efficacy in adults.
Limited research exists on the effects and safety of ECT specifically within the adolescent population.

Observation:

Two adolescent females (15 and 17 years old) with treatment-resistant major depression and psychotic features experienced severe suicidality.
Both patients demonstrated successful treatment outcomes following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
One patient required ongoing monthly maintenance ECT to sustain remission.

Findings:

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) proved to be a safe and effective treatment for severe, treatment-resistant depression with psychotic features in adolescent patients.
The findings support the potential utility of ECT as an intervention for adolescents who do not respond to conventional psychiatric treatments.
Maintenance ECT was necessary for sustained remission in one case, highlighting its role in long-term management.

Implications:

This case series suggests that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) should be considered a more accessible treatment option for adolescents with severe, refractory depression.
Further research and clinical trials are warranted to comprehensively evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety profile of ECT in adolescent populations.
Adherence to established guidelines, such as those proposed by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, can facilitate the safe application of ECT in this demographic.