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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
Steroid-induced depressive psychosis responsive to electroconvulsive therapy
B Sutor1, L A Wells, T A Rummans
1Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Convulsive Therapy
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) effectively treated severe depression in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This supports ECT as a safe option for pediatric affective and psychotic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychiatry
- Hematology-Oncology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment can involve high-dose corticosteroids.
- Corticosteroids are known to induce significant psychiatric side effects, including depression.
- Management of severe depression in pediatric oncology patients presents unique challenges.
Observation:
- A 15-year-old female diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed severe depression during corticosteroid therapy.
- The patient's depressive symptoms were profound and significantly impacted her quality of life.
- Standard pharmacological interventions for depression were considered but deemed potentially complicated by her underlying condition and treatment.
Findings:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was administered to address the severe steroid-induced depression.
- The patient exhibited a rapid and remarkable positive response to ECT.
- ECT was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events reported during or after treatment.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential efficacy and safety of ECT for managing severe steroid-induced depression in pediatric patients with leukemia.
- The findings contribute to the expanding evidence base supporting ECT as a viable treatment for affective and psychotic disorders in children.
- Further research into the specific mechanisms and optimal application of ECT in this vulnerable population is warranted.
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