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Related Concept Videos

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
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Maintenance electroconvulsive therapy up to 12 years.

Alby Elias1, Saji J Chathanchirayil1, Ravi Bhat1

  • 1Rural Health Academic Centre, The University of Melbourne, Goulburn Valley Health Shepparton, Victoria 3630, Australia.

Journal of Affective Disorders
|December 21, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Long-term maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (m-ECT) effectively reduces depressive episodes and hospital admissions over several years. Cognitive functions remained largely unaffected during extended m-ECT treatment.

Keywords:
Cognitive deficitsDepressionECTElectroconvulsive therapyMaintenance ECT

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (m-ECT) is a recognized treatment for recurrent depressive episodes.
  • Limited data exists on the long-term efficacy and cognitive effects of m-ECT spanning several years.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term efficacy of maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (m-ECT) in preventing depressive recurrences.
  • To assess the impact of long-term m-ECT on cognitive functions.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of medical records for 17 patients undergoing long-term m-ECT (6-153 months).
  • Comparison of depressive episodes and hospital admissions before and during m-ECT.
  • Cognitive function assessment using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Neuropsychiatry Unit Cognitive Assessment Tool (NUCOG).

Main Results:

  • A significant reduction in depressive episodes (from 2.47 to 0.88) and admissions (from 2.05 to 0.23) was observed during m-ECT.
  • The average time to recurrence was 24.24 months, with a maximum depression-free survival of 105 months.
  • No significant changes in MMSE scores or progressive decline in NUCOG scores were noted.

Conclusions:

  • Long-term m-ECT demonstrates sustained efficacy in preventing depressive recurrences in a naturalistic setting.
  • Cognitive functions appear to be largely preserved during extended periods of m-ECT.
  • Limitations include retrospective data, small sample size, and potential confounding factors like antidepressant use.