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Related Concept Videos

Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

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,...

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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
04:51

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Published on: April 11, 2019

Long-term weekly continuation electroconvulsive therapy: a case series.

Marc H Zisselman1, Peter B Rosenquist, Sharon M Curlik

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA. zisselmanm@einstein.edu

The Journal of ECT
|December 20, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can prevent relapse in severe mental illness. This case series highlights the long-term efficacy and safety of weekly ECT for patients with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depression.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Therapeutics

Background:

  • Continuation pharmacotherapy often fails to prevent relapse after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
  • Maintenance ECT is a recognized treatment but its application varies.
  • Long-term efficacy and safety data for frequent maintenance ECT are limited.

Observation:

  • This case series describes 3 patients (ages 68, 43, 81) with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depression with psychotic features.
  • These patients required weekly ECT treatments for several years to maintain stability.
  • Attempts to increase the interval between ECT sessions resulted in rapid clinical decompensation.

Findings:

  • Weekly maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was effective in preventing relapse in these patients.
  • No significant cognitive or physical side effects were observed during long-term, frequent ECT.
  • The treatment was well-tolerated over several years of administration.

Implications:

  • Long-term, frequent maintenance ECT may be a viable option for select patients with severe, refractory mood and psychotic disorders.
  • This approach can maintain clinical stability without apparent treatment-related morbidity.
  • Further research into optimal maintenance ECT protocols is warranted.