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09:07
Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
Why do we prescribe ECT to schizophrenia patients?
Vivek H Phutane1, Jagadisha Thirthalli, Muralidharan Kesavan
1Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|July 21, 2011
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is frequently used to augment pharmacotherapy in schizophrenia patients. Catatonia was the most common target symptom for ECT in this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) use in schizophrenia varies globally, with some countries showing caution.
- Understanding the specific indications for ECT in schizophrenia is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the primary indications for prescribing ECT to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- To analyze the target symptoms that led to ECT administration in schizophrenia patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 101 schizophrenia inpatients receiving ECT in 2005.
- A prospective analysis of 101 consecutive schizophrenia inpatients receiving ECT between May 2007 and June 2008.
- Frequency analysis was used to determine the common indications and target symptoms.
Main Results:
- Augmenting pharmacotherapy was the most frequent indication for ECT in 116 out of 202 schizophrenia patients.
- Catatonia was the most common target symptom, with 72 patients receiving ECT for this condition.
- The average number of ECT sessions administered was 8.4 (SD 2.8).
Conclusions:
- Augmentation of pharmacotherapy is the predominant reason for utilizing ECT in schizophrenia patients.
- ECT remains a significant treatment modality for specific symptoms like catatonia in schizophrenia.
- Further research may clarify optimal ECT protocols for schizophrenia based on these indications.
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