Safety and Efficacy of ECT

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment for certain psychiatric disorders. Eleven patients who had sustained a closed head injury were treated with ECT for their psychiatric symptoms. Eight patients responded to an index course of ECT: 2 were partial responders and became responders during continuation ECT (cECT); 1 patient was a nonresponder. Post-ECT Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination and Mini-Mental State Examination scores showed no significant decline (P>0.70 and P>0.89, respectively) from baseline. Eight patients received cECT, without any lasting cognitive side effects. These findings indicate that ECT can be used effectively in patients with a history of closed head injury, without adverse effects on cognitive functioning.

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 11:32-37, February 1999

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