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Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
Published on: April 11, 2019
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Prolonged Post-electroconvulsive Therapy Delirium: An Unusual Presentation.
Ahmad R Khan1, Hafsa Mahmood1, Saad Wasiq2
1Psychiatry, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, USA.
Cureus
|November 9, 2018
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can cause temporary cognitive issues. In a rare case, delirium persisted for 14 days, but modifying the ECT protocol resolved the confusion.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for severe depression, particularly when other therapies fail.
- Cognitive side effects, such as temporary confusion or memory impairment, are common after ECT but typically resolve quickly.
Observation:
- A case study detailed a patient experiencing prolonged post-ECT delirium lasting 14 days, extending beyond the usual recovery period.
- The patient exhibited significant confusion following successive ECT sessions.
Findings:
- Modifying the ECT protocol proved effective in managing the prolonged delirium.
- Key modifications included increasing the interval between sessions and switching from bilateral brief pulse to unilateral ultra-brief pulse stimulation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of individualized ECT protocols to mitigate adverse cognitive effects.
- Adjusting stimulation parameters and session frequency may be crucial for patients experiencing persistent post-ECT confusion.
- Further research into optimizing ECT protocols for cognitive safety is warranted.
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