Maintenance ECT in intractable manic-depressive disorders.

Abstract

Twenty-two patients suffering from intractable recurrent unipolar or bipolar mood disorders were enrolled in a maintenance-ECT protocol (ECT-M) for more than 18 months, with a treatment at approximately monthly intervals. Eleven have continued treatment for > 2 years. Whereas 44% of the year had been spent in the hospital with at least three episodes a year prior to ECT-M, only 7% of the year was spent in the hospital during ECT-M with only one relapse every 16 months requiring admission (p < 0.001). Forty-five percent of the patients were in full remission and 27% in partial remission according to DSM-III-R criteria. ECT-M responsiveness of rapid-cyclers and delusional depressed patients usually drug refractory has been very encouraging with full or partial remission for 100% of rapid-cyclers and 80% of delusional depressed patients.

• Authors: J M Vanelle, H Loo, A Galinowski, W de Carvalho, M C Bourdel, P Brochier, O Bouvet, T Brochier, J P Olie
• Journal: Convulsive therapy (Convuls Ther) Vol. 10 Issue 3 Pg. 195-205 (Sep 1994) ISSN: 0749-8055 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7834256 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
• Carbamazepine
• Lithium

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic (therapeutic use)
• Bipolar Disorder (psychology, therapy)
• Carbamazepine (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Delusions (psychology, therapy)
• Depressive Disorder (psychology, therapy)
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (methods)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Lithium (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Readmission
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Recurrence
• Treatment Outcome