ECT use in unipolar and bipolar depression
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Smita Agarkar1, Stephen Hurt, Sarah Lisanby
1Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. smd9004@med.cornell.edu
Background:
Few studies have compared response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depressed patients with unipolar and bipolar disorder.
Methods:
We reviewed the charts of inpatients with unipolar or bipolar depression who received open treatment with right unilateral ECT. We compared the number of treatments, demographics, and change in Global Assessment of Functioning scores and length of hospital stay in both groups.
Results:
Whereas changes in Global Assessment of Functioning scores and length of stay overlapped, the number of treatments in patients with bipolar disorder (mean ± SD, 7.5 ± 1.6) was lower than that in patients with unipolar disorder (mean ± SD, 10.2 ± 1.9).
Conclusion:
Fewer ECT treatments may be required to achieve similar benefit in patients with bipolar disorder compared to patients with unipolar disorder.
Related Concept Videos
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Depression: Overview
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
