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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,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models

Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models

Published on: August 12, 2018

[Deep brain stimulation for epilepsy].

Naoki Akamatsu¹, Sadatoshi Tsuji

¹Department of Neurology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health School of Medicine, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Japan.

Brain and Nerve = Shinkei Kenkyu No Shinpo

|March 29, 2011

Summary

Electrical brain stimulation offers new hope for epilepsy patients. Bilateral stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus effectively reduces seizures in drug-resistant epilepsy cases.

Area of Science:

Neurology
Neurosurgery
Biomedical Engineering

Context:

Epilepsy affects millions globally, with a significant portion experiencing medically intractable seizures.
Pharmacological treatments are insufficient for approximately one-third of epilepsy patients.
Resective surgery is an option, but requires precise identification of seizure foci and is not suitable for all patients.

Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy of electrical stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus for treating epilepsy.
To explore alternative therapeutic strategies for patients with medically intractable epilepsy.
To investigate the potential of brain pacemakers (responsive neurostimulators) as an epilepsy treatment.

Summary:

The Stimulation of the Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus for Epilepsy (SANTE) trial demonstrated that bilateral stimulation of the anterior thalamic nucleus significantly reduces seizures.

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The Neuropace system, a responsive neurostimulator, is under investigation, with preliminary positive results presented.

Electrical stimulation of specific brain regions, including the thalamus, offers a promising alternative for seizure control.

Impact:

Provides evidence for the therapeutic benefit of deep brain stimulation in epilepsy management.
Highlights the need for advanced neuromodulation techniques for refractory epilepsy.
Suggests that brain pacemakers could offer a personalized approach to epilepsy treatment.