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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,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
09:07

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

Published on: August 15, 2017

Transient plasma p-tau217 elevations after electroconvulsive therapy: A two-case report.

Henri Hokkanen1,2, Emilia Hintsala1, Jaakko Hotta1,2,3

  • 1HUS Neurocenter Helsinki Finland.

Alzheimer'S & Dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|June 22, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can cause temporary increases in plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau217), a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). These elevations may be misinterpreted, but they typically resolve, suggesting a non-AD cause.

Keywords:
biomarker interpretationblood biomarkersdiagnostic specificityelectroconvulsive therapyfalse‐positive biomarker resultsneurodegenerationtau phosphorylation

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Published on: September 3, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Biochemistry
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau217) is a key biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD) evaluation.
  • Factors influencing p-tau217 interpretation in real-world clinical settings require further definition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on plasma p-tau217 levels.
  • To determine if ECT-induced p-tau217 elevations can be misinterpreted as indicative of AD pathology.

Main Methods:

  • Case study of a patient with serial p-tau217 measurements after acute ECT.
  • Serial p-tau217 measurements in a second patient during maintenance ECT.
  • Comparison of p-tau217 levels with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and neuropsychological assessments.

Main Results:

  • Marked, transient elevation of p-tau217 observed post-acute ECT, followed by normalization.
  • Normal cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and neuropsychological test results in the primary case.
  • Fluctuating p-tau217 levels noted in a patient undergoing maintenance ECT.

Conclusions:

  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can transiently elevate plasma p-tau217.
  • ECT-induced p-tau217 elevations may mimic AD pathology but represent a distinct, reversible process.
  • Timing of p-tau217 testing should consider recent ECT to avoid false positives.