Electroconvulsive Therapy in Depression: Current Practice and Future Direction

Adriana P Hermida; Oliver M Glass; Hadia Shafi; William M McDonald

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2018.04.001

Electroconvulsive Therapy in Depression: Current Practice and Future Direction

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2018 Sep;41(3):341-353. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2018.04.001. Epub 2018 Jun 15.

Authors

Adriana P Hermida¹, Oliver M Glass², Hadia Shafi², William M McDonald²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.

PMID: 30098649
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2018.04.001

Abstract

The current practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has evolved over several decades with the implementation of safer equipment and advancement of techniques. In addition, modifications in the delivery of ECT, such as the utilization of brief and ultrabrief pulse widths and individualization of treatment parameters, have improved the safety of ECT without sacrificing efficacy. This article aims to provide psychiatrists with a balanced, in-depth look into the recent advances in ECT technique as well as the evidence of ECT for managing depression in special populations and patients with comorbid medical problems.

Keywords: Cognitive side effects; Electroconvulsive therapy; Electrode placement; Major depression; Neuromodulation; Review; Treatment-resistant depression.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / therapy*
Electroconvulsive Therapy* / adverse effects
Electroconvulsive Therapy* / methods
Electroconvulsive Therapy* / standards
Electroconvulsive Therapy* / trends
Humans