ElectroConvulsive Therapy (ECT)
What is electroconvulsive therapy? correct answers a biomedical therapy for severely
depressed patients in which a brief electric current is sent through the brain of an
anesthetized patient, intentionally triggering a brief seizure
When was it introduced as a treatment modality? And by whom? correct answers 1938
by Cerletti & Bini
What are the basis for ECT? correct answers Postulated antagonism between
schizophrenia and convulsion such that one will exclude the other i.e are mutually
exclusive
What was ECT originally introduced to treat, and what was later proven to have better
response to it? correct answers Schizophrenia; Severe depressive disorders
Indications for ECT (5) correct answers •Depressive illness
•Mania
•Puerperal psychosis
•Schizophrenia
Acute catatonic states
What is puerperal psychosis? correct answers Post partum mental illness
Indications for ECT in Depressive illness (6) correct answers * severe depression
(especially unresponsive
to chemotherapy)
* life threatening because of refusal of food
and fluids
* associated with high suicide risk
* associated with stupor
* marked psychomotor retardation
* associated psychotic symptoms (delusions
and hallucinations)
Indications for ECT in Mania (2) correct answers -life threatening physical exhaustion
- Non - responsive to adequate and appropriate drug treatment
Indications for ECT in Schizophrenia (3) correct answers •Associated with positive
symptoms (efficacy of ECT is about equal with that of antipsychotic but may occur
within a shorter time)
•Associated with catatonia; affective symptoms
•Resistant to drugs including clozapine
What is electroconvulsive therapy? correct answers a biomedical therapy for severely
depressed patients in which a brief electric current is sent through the brain of an
anesthetized patient, intentionally triggering a brief seizure
When was it introduced as a treatment modality? And by whom? correct answers 1938
by Cerletti & Bini
What are the basis for ECT? correct answers Postulated antagonism between
schizophrenia and convulsion such that one will exclude the other i.e are mutually
exclusive
What was ECT originally introduced to treat, and what was later proven to have better
response to it? correct answers Schizophrenia; Severe depressive disorders
Indications for ECT (5) correct answers •Depressive illness
•Mania
•Puerperal psychosis
•Schizophrenia
Acute catatonic states
What is puerperal psychosis? correct answers Post partum mental illness
Indications for ECT in Depressive illness (6) correct answers * severe depression
(especially unresponsive
to chemotherapy)
* life threatening because of refusal of food
and fluids
* associated with high suicide risk
* associated with stupor
* marked psychomotor retardation
* associated psychotic symptoms (delusions
and hallucinations)
Indications for ECT in Mania (2) correct answers -life threatening physical exhaustion
- Non - responsive to adequate and appropriate drug treatment
Indications for ECT in Schizophrenia (3) correct answers •Associated with positive
symptoms (efficacy of ECT is about equal with that of antipsychotic but may occur
within a shorter time)
•Associated with catatonia; affective symptoms
•Resistant to drugs including clozapine
