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Swartz CM. What Is Brain Damage and Does Electroconvulsive Therapy Cause It? J ECT 2024; 40:72-77. [PMID: 38771065 DOI: 10.1097/yct.0000000000001019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Surveys show public misperceptions and confusion about brain damage and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Fictional movies have misrepresented ECT to suggest brain damage and to ridicule mental illness and psychiatric patients. "Brain damage" has become a colloquial expression without consistent meaning. In contrast, brain injury is the medical term for destruction of brain cells, such as from kinetic impact (concussion), hypoxia, or infection. Studies of both high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and enzyme assays find that causes of brain injury are accompanied by observable structural changes on MRI and elevated blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels of brain enzymes that leak from injured brain cells. Concussion is also followed by intracerebral bleeding, progressive brain atrophy, diffuse axonal injury, cranial nerve injury, and 2-4 fold increased risk for dementia. In contrast, there is no evidence that ECT produces any of these. Studies of ECT patients find no brain edema, structural change persisting 6 months, or elevated levels of leaked brain enzymes. Statistical comparisons between brain injury and ECT effects indicate no similarity ( P < 0.00000001). Moreover, the kinetic, thermal, and electrical effects of ECT are far below levels that could possibly cause harm. This robust evidence shows that there is no basis to claim that ECT causes brain injury.
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Borgers T, Enneking V, Klug M, Garbe J, Meinert H, Wulle M, König P, Zwiky E, Herrmann R, Selle J, Dohm K, Kraus A, Grotegerd D, Repple J, Opel N, Leehr EJ, Gruber M, Goltermann J, Meinert S, Bauer J, Heindel W, Kavakbasi E, Baune BT, Dannlowski U, Redlich R. Long-term effects of electroconvulsive therapy on brain structure in major depression. Psychol Med 2024; 54:940-950. [PMID: 37681274 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on major depressive disorder (MDD) have predominantly found short-term electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-related gray matter volume (GMV) increases, but research on the long-term stability of such changes is missing. Our aim was to investigate long-term GMV changes over a 2-year period after ECT administration and their associations with clinical outcome. METHODS In this nonrandomized longitudinal study, patients with MDD undergoing ECT (n = 17) are assessed three times by structural MRI: Before ECT (t0), after ECT (t1) and 2 years later (t2). A healthy (n = 21) and MDD non-ECT (n = 33) control group are also measured three times within an equivalent time interval. A 3(group) × 3(time) ANOVA on whole-brain level and correlation analyses with clinical outcome variables is performed. RESULTS Analyses yield a significant group × time interaction (pFWE < 0.001) resulting from significant volume increases from t0 to t1 and decreases from t1 to t2 in the ECT group, e.g., in limbic areas. There are no effects of time in both control groups. Volume increases from t0 to t1 correlate with immediate and delayed symptom increase, while volume decreases from t1 to t2 correlate with long-term depressive outcome (all p ⩽ 0.049). CONCLUSIONS Volume increases induced by ECT appear to be a transient phenomenon as volume strongly decreased 2 years after ECT. Short-term volume increases are associated with less symptom improvement suggesting that the antidepressant effect of ECT is not due to volume changes. Larger volume decreases are associated with poorer long-term outcome highlighting the interplay between disease progression and structural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiana Borgers
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Verena Enneking
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Melissa Klug
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jasper Garbe
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Hannah Meinert
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Marius Wulle
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Philine König
- Department of Psychology, University of Halle, Emil-Abderhalden-Straße 26, 06108 Halle, Germany
| | - Esther Zwiky
- Department of Psychology, University of Halle, Emil-Abderhalden-Straße 26, 06108 Halle, Germany
| | - Rebekka Herrmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Halle, Emil-Abderhalden-Straße 26, 06108 Halle, Germany
| | - Janine Selle
- Department of Psychology, University of Halle, Emil-Abderhalden-Straße 26, 06108 Halle, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit, German Center of Mental Health, Site Halle, MLU Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Katharina Dohm
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Anna Kraus
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Dominik Grotegerd
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jonathan Repple
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Strasse 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nils Opel
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Jena, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Elisabeth J Leehr
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Marius Gruber
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Janik Goltermann
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Susanne Meinert
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jochen Bauer
- Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A16, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Walter Heindel
- Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A16, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Erhan Kavakbasi
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Bernhard T Baune
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Udo Dannlowski
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ronny Redlich
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A9a, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Halle, Emil-Abderhalden-Straße 26, 06108 Halle, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit, German Center of Mental Health, Site Halle, MLU Halle, Halle, Germany
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Deng ZD, Robins PL, Regenold W, Rohde P, Dannhauer M, Lisanby SH. How electroconvulsive therapy works in the treatment of depression: is it the seizure, the electricity, or both? Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:150-162. [PMID: 37488281 PMCID: PMC10700353 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01677-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
We have known for nearly a century that triggering seizures can treat serious mental illness, but what we do not know is why. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) works faster and better than conventional pharmacological interventions; however, those benefits come with a burden of side effects, most notably memory loss. Disentangling the mechanisms by which ECT exerts rapid therapeutic benefit from the mechanisms driving adverse effects could enable the development of the next generation of seizure therapies that lack the downside of ECT. The latest research suggests that this goal may be attainable because modifications of ECT technique have already yielded improvements in cognitive outcomes without sacrificing efficacy. These modifications involve changes in how the electricity is administered (both where in the brain, and how much), which in turn impacts the characteristics of the resulting seizure. What we do not completely understand is whether it is the changes in the applied electricity, or in the resulting seizure, or both, that are responsible for improved safety. Answering this question may be key to developing the next generation of seizure therapies that lack these adverse side effects, and ushering in novel interventions that are better, faster, and safer than ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-De Deng
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pei L Robins
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - William Regenold
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paul Rohde
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Moritz Dannhauer
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sarah H Lisanby
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Brooks JO, Kruse JL, Kubicki A, Hellemann G, Espinoza RT, Irwin MR, Narr KL. Structural brain plasticity and inflammation are independently related to changes in depressive symptoms six months after an index ECT course. Psychol Med 2024; 54:108-116. [PMID: 36600668 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722003555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for treatment-resistant depression and leads to short-term structural brain changes and decreases in the inflammatory response. However, little is known about how brain structure and inflammation relate to the heterogeneity of treatment response in the months following an index ECT course. METHODS A naturalistic six-month study following an index ECT course included 20 subjects with treatment-resistant depression. Upon conclusion of the index ECT course and again after six months, structural magnetic resonance imaging scans and peripheral inflammation measures [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein] were obtained. Voxel-based morphometry processed with the CAT-12 Toolbox was used to estimate changes in gray matter volume. RESULTS Between the end of the index ECT course and the end of follow-up, we found four clusters of significant decreases in gray matter volume (p < 0.01, FWE) and no regions of increased volume. Decreased HAM-D scores were significantly related only to reduced IL-8 level. Decreased volume in one cluster, which included the right insula and Brodmann's Area 22, was related to increased HAM-D scores over six months. IL-8 levels did not mediate or moderate the relationship between volumetric change and depression. CONCLUSIONS Six months after an index ECT course, multiple regions of decreased gray matter volume were observed in a naturalistic setting. The independent relations between brain volume and inflammation to depressive symptoms suggest novel explanations of the heterogeneity of longer-term ECT treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- John O Brooks
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Kruse
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Antoni Kubicki
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Randall T Espinoza
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael R Irwin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Ahmad Hariza AM, Mohd Yunus MH, Murthy JK, Wahab S. Clinical Improvement in Depression and Cognitive Deficit Following Electroconvulsive Therapy. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13091585. [PMID: 37174977 PMCID: PMC10178332 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13091585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a long-standing treatment choice for disorders such as depression when pharmacological treatments have failed. However, a major drawback of ECT is its cognitive side effects. While numerous studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of ECT and its mechanism, much less research has been conducted regarding the mechanism behind the cognitive side effects of ECT. As both clinical remission and cognitive deficits occur after ECT, it is possible that both may share a common mechanism. This review highlights studies related to ECT as well as those investigating the mechanism of its outcomes. The process underlying these effects may lie within BDNF and NMDA signaling. Edema in the astrocytes may also be responsible for the adverse cognitive effects and is mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and the protein Homer1a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Mus'ab Ahmad Hariza
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Heikal Mohd Yunus
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Jaya Kumar Murthy
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Suzaily Wahab
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
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Ousdal OT, Brancati GE, Kessler U, Erchinger V, Dale AM, Abbott C, Oltedal L. The Neurobiological Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy Studied Through Magnetic Resonance: What Have We Learned, and Where Do We Go? Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:540-549. [PMID: 34274106 PMCID: PMC8630079 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment choice for severe, treatment-resistant depression, yet its mechanisms of action remain elusive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human brain before and after treatment has been crucial to aid our comprehension of the ECT neurobiological effects. However, to date, a majority of MRI studies have been underpowered and have used heterogeneous patient samples as well as different methodological approaches, altogether causing mixed results and poor clinical translation. Hence, an association between MRI markers and therapeutic response remains to be established. Recently, the availability of large datasets through a global collaboration has provided the statistical power needed to characterize whole-brain structural and functional brain changes after ECT. In addition, MRI technological developments allow new aspects of brain function and structure to be investigated. Finally, more recent studies have also investigated immediate and long-term effects of ECT, which may aid in the separation of the therapeutically relevant effects from epiphenomena. The goal of this review is to outline MRI studies (T1, diffusion-weighted imaging, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) of ECT in depression to advance our understanding of the ECT neurobiological effects. Based on the reviewed literature, we suggest a model whereby the neurobiological effects can be understood within a framework of disruption, neuroplasticity, and rewiring of neural circuits. An improved characterization of the neurobiological effects of ECT may increase our understanding of ECT's therapeutic effects, ultimately leading to improved patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Therese Ousdal
- Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Centre, Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Centre for Crisis Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Giulio E Brancati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ute Kessler
- NORMENT, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Vera Erchinger
- Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Centre, Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anders M Dale
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Christopher Abbott
- Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Leif Oltedal
- Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Centre, Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Thalamic connectivity system across psychiatric disorders: Current status and clinical implications. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 2:332-340. [PMID: 36324665 PMCID: PMC9616255 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The thalamic connectivity system, with the thalamus as the central node, enables transmission of the brain’s neural computations via extensive connections to cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar regions. Emerging reports suggest deficits in this system across multiple psychiatric disorders, making it a unique network of high translational and transdiagnostic utility in mapping neural alterations that potentially contribute to symptoms and disturbances in psychiatric patients. However, despite considerable research effort, it is still debated how this system contributes to psychiatric disorders. This review characterizes current knowledge regarding thalamic connectivity system deficits in psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and autism spectrum disorder, across multiple levels of the system. We identify the presence of common and distinct patterns of deficits in the thalamic connectivity system in major psychiatric disorders and assess their nature and characteristics. Specifically, this review assembles evidence for the hypotheses of 1) thalamic microstructure, particularly in the mediodorsal nucleus, as a state marker of psychosis; 2) thalamo-prefrontal connectivity as a trait marker of psychosis; and 3) thalamo-somatosensory/parietal connectivity as a possible marker of general psychiatric illness. Furthermore, possible mechanisms contributing to thalamocortical dysconnectivity are explored. We discuss current views on the contributions of cerebellar-thalamic connectivity to the thalamic connectivity system and propose future studies to examine its effects at multiple levels, from the molecular (e.g., glutamatergic) to the behavioral (e.g., cognition), to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the disturbances observed in psychiatric disorders.
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