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Electroconvulsive therapy for agitation in Alzheimer disease: a case series
Bruce Sutor1, Keith G Rasmussen
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Sutor.bruce@mayo.edu
Background:
Alzheimer disease (AD) patients frequently exhibit agitated behaviors that can be difficult to treat pharmacologically due to side effects and lack of efficacy. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a potential treatment option for patients who have failed medication trials.
Methods:
Chart review of agitated AD patients treated at Mayo Clinic with ECT from 2001 to 2006.
Results:
Of 11 patients, 9 had improvement or remission of agitated behavior. Hospitalizations in the year after the initial ECT series decreased significantly for all patients in the study.
Conclusions:
Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective treatment for agitation in AD patients.
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