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Related Concept Videos

Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

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 years,...
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...

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Kynurenic Acid Offers Added Value in Predicting ECT Outcomes in Depression.

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Does the Loss of Autobiographical Memories Contribute to the Therapeutic Effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy?

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Comparing the temporal pattern of symptom change across multiple treatments for depression.

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Which Residual Symptoms Predict Relapse in major Depression? A Scoping Review: Quels symptômes résiduels constituent des prédicteurs de rechute de dépression majeure? Un examen de la portée.

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Lithium, Electroconvulsive Therapy and Cognition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

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Successful Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Catatonia With Comorbid Parkinson Disease and Neuroborreliosis: A Case Report.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
04:51

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Published on: April 11, 2019

Electroconvulsive Therapy in Movement Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Louis Kindts1, Kyra Bouillon2, Pascal Sienaert3

  • 1University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven.

The Journal of ECT
|June 22, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) shows promise for improving symptoms in some movement disorders, particularly Parkinson disease. However, its effects on Huntington disease are unclear, necessitating further research.

Keywords:
Parkinson diseaseelectroconvulsive therapymovement disorders

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Published on: December 13, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Movement Disorders

Background:

  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a recognized psychiatric treatment.
  • Emerging evidence suggests ECT may influence movement disorder symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the existing literature on ECT's efficacy in treating movement disorders.
  • To synthesize findings regarding ECT's impact on both motor and non-motor symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase).
  • Fifty-eight relevant publications were selected for detailed data extraction and analysis.

Main Results:

  • Evidence indicates a beneficial effect of ECT on motor and non-motor symptoms in several movement disorders.
  • Parkinson disease showed the most significant positive response to ECT.
  • Data for Huntington disease suggests a potential negative impact, requiring cautious interpretation.

Conclusions:

  • ECT demonstrates potential therapeutic benefits for certain movement disorders, notably Parkinson disease.
  • The current evidence base is limited by the qualitative and quantitative rigor of studies, often relying on case reports.
  • Further rigorous research, including case reports and standardized clinical trials, is essential to clarify ECT's role in movement disorder management.