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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Published on: August 15, 2017

Brain morphometry, stimulation charge, and seizure duration in electroconvulsive therapy.

Amber M Leaver¹, Chris C Abbott², Randall T Espinoza^3,4

¹Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. amber.leaver@northwestern.edu.

Molecular Psychiatry

|November 22, 2025

Summary

Brain structure influences electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) seizure parameters and antidepressant response. Pre-treatment head morphology may guide personalized ECT dosing for improved outcomes.

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Last Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

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Published on: April 11, 2019

Transcranial Electrical Brain Stimulation in Alert Rodents

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Published on: November 2, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Medical Imaging

Background:

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for severe depression, but the mechanisms of seizure therapeutic effects remain unclear.
Understanding factors influencing ECT seizure parameters is crucial for optimizing treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how pre-treatment brain morphology affects seizure characteristics and antidepressant response in patients undergoing ECT.
To explore the relationship between brain morphometry, electrical current magnitude, and ECT outcomes.

Main Methods:

Analysis of pre-existing MRI data from 166 patients with treatment-refractory depression undergoing right unilateral ECT.
Examination of pretreatment regional brain morphometry, electrical current magnitude (|E|), seizure duration, and stimulation charge.
Statistical modeling controlling for age, sex, and cohort, with false discovery rate correction.

Main Results:

Seizure threshold charge correlated with cortical surface area and white matter |E|, suggesting cortical involvement.
Stimulation charge linked to right temple cortical morphology, amygdala/hippocampal |E|, and mid-hippocampal/thalamic volume.
Antidepressant response associated with temple cortical area and amygdala/hippocampal |E|, with the latter mediating the effect.

Conclusions:

Pre-treatment brain morphology significantly influences ECT-induced seizures and their therapeutic efficacy.
Electrical stimulation in the right anteromedial temporal lobe appears critical for ECT's antidepressant effects.
Personalized ECT dosing strategies based on individual head morphology could enhance outcomes and minimize side effects.