Electroconvulsive therapy and risk of dementia in patients with affective disorders: a cohort study

Blood biomarkers of neuronal injury and astrocytic reactivity in electroconvulsive therapy

Despite electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) being recognized as an effective treatment for major depressive episodes (MDE), its application is subject to controversy due to concerns over cognitive side effects. The pathophysiology of these side effects is not well understood. Here, we examined the effects of ECT on blood-based biomarkers of neuronal injury and astrocytic reactivity. Participants with a major depressive episode (N = 99) underwent acute ECT. Blood was sampled just before (T0) and 30 min after (T1) the first ECT session, as well as just before the sixth session (T2; 48-72 h after the fifth session). Age- and sex-matched controls (N = 99) were recruited from the general population. Serum concentrations of neurofilament light chain (NfL), total tau protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured with ultrasensitive single-molecule array assays. Utilizing generalized least squares regression, we compared baseline (T0) biomarker concentrations against those of our control group, and calculated the shifts in serum biomarker concentrations from baseline to immediately post-first ECT session (T1), and prior to the sixth session (T2). Baseline analysis revealed that serum levels of NfL (p < 0.001) and tau (p = 0.036) were significantly elevated in ECT recipients compared with controls, whereas GFAP levels showed no significant difference. Relative to T0, serum NfL concentration neither changed at T1 (mean change 3.1%, 95%CI -0.5% to 6.7%, p = 0.088) nor at T2 (mean change -3.2%, 95%CI -7.6% to 1.5%, p = 0.18). Similarly, no change in total tau was observed (mean change 3.7%, 95%CI -11.6% to 21.7%, p = 0.65). GFAP increased from T0 to T1 (mean change 20.3%, 95%CI 14.6 to 26.3%, p < 0.001), but not from T0 to T2 (mean change -0.7%, 95%CI -5.8% to 4.8%, p = 0.82). In conclusion, our findings suggest that ECT induces a temporary increase in serum GFAP, possibly reflecting transient astrocytic activation. Importantly, we observed no indicators of neuronal damage or long-term elevation in any assessed biomarker.

What Is Brain Damage and Does Electroconvulsive Therapy Cause It?

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.

Physiotherapy for patients with depression: Recent research progress

Depression, a common mental illness, seriously affects the health of individuals and has deleterious effects on society. The prevention and treatment of depression has drawn the attention of many researchers and has become an important social issue. The treatment strategies for depression include drugs, psychotherapy, and physiotherapy. Drug therapy is ineffective in some patients and psychotherapy has treatment limitations. As a reliable adjuvant therapy, physiotherapy compensates for the shortcomings of drug and psychotherapy and effectively reduces the disease recurrence rate. Physiotherapy is more scientific and rigorous, its methods are diverse, and to a certain extent, provides more choices for the treatment of depression. Physiotherapy can relieve symptoms in many ways, such as by improving the levels of neurobiochemical molecules, inhibiting the inflammatory response, regulating the neuroendocrine system, and increasing neuroplasticity. Physiotherapy has biological effects similar to those of antidepressants and may produce a superimposed impact when combined with other treatments. This article summarizes the findings on the use of physiotherapy to treat patients with depression over the past five years. It also discusses several methods of physiotherapy for treating depression from the aspects of clinical effect, mechanism of action, and disadvantages, thereby serving as a reference for the in-depth development of physiotherapy research.

Effect of erythropoietin on cognitive side-effects of electroconvulsive therapy in depression: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective and rapid-acting treatment for severe depression but is associated with cognitive side-effects. Identification of add-on treatments that counteract these side-effects would be very helpful. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study investigated the effects of four add-on erythropoietin (EPO; 40,000 IU/ml) or saline (placebo) infusions over 2.5 weeks of ECT (eight ECT sessions) in severely depressed patients with unipolar or bipolar depression. Neuropsychological assessments were conducted pre-ECT, three days after the eighth ECT (week 4), and at a 3-month follow-up. Further, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was conducted after the eighth ECT. The primary outcome was change from pre- to post-ECT in a 'speed of complex cognitive processing' composite. Secondary outcomes were verbal and autobiographical memory. Of sixty randomized patients, one dropped out before baseline. Data were thus analysed for 59 patients (EPO, n = 33; saline, n = 26), of whom 28 had fMRI data. No ECT-related decline occurred in the primary global cognition measure (ps≥0.1), and no effect of EPO versus saline was observed on this outcome (ps≥0.3). However post-ECT, EPO-treated patients exhibited faster autobiographical memory recall than saline-treated patients (p = 0.02), which was accompanied by lower memory-related parietal cortex activity. The absence of global cognition changes with ECT and EPO, coupled with the specific impact of EPO on autobiographical memory recall speed and memory-related parietal cortex activity, suggests that assessing autobiographical memory may provide increased sensitivity in evaluating and potentially preventing cognitive side-effects of ECT. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03339596, EudraCT no.: 2016-002326-36.

Unmasking patient diversity: Exploring cognitive and antidepressive effects of electroconvulsive therapy

BACKGROUND

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment for depression, but more data on effectiveness and safety in clinical practice is needed. The aim of this register-based study was to investigate short-term effectiveness and cognitive safety after ECT, evaluated by clinicians and patients. Secondary, we investigated predictors for remission and cognitive decline.

METHODS

The study included 392 patients from the Regional Register for Neurostimulation Treatment in Western Norway. Depressive symptoms and cognitive function were assessed with Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination (clinician-rated) and Beck Depression Inventory and Everyday Memory Questionnaire (patient-rated). Assessments were done prior to ECT-series and a mean of 1.7 days after (range 6 days before and 12 days after) end of ECT-series. Paired samples t-tests were extended by detailed, clinically relevant subgroups. Predictors were examined using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Clinician- and patient-rated remission rates were 49.5 and 41.0%, respectively. There was a large reduction in depressive symptoms and a small improvement in cognition after ECT, but we also identified subgroups with non-response of ECT in combination with cognitive decline (4.6% clinician-rated, 15.7% patient-rated). Positive predictors for patient- and clinician-rated remission were increasing age, shorter duration of depressive episode, and psychotic features. Antipsychotic medication at the commencement of treatment and previous ECT-treatment gave higher odds of clinician-rated remission, whereas higher pretreatment subjective depression level was associated with lower odds for patient-rated remission. Clinician-rated cognitive decline was predicted by higher pretreatment MMSE scores, whereas psychotic features, increasing age, and greater pretreatment subjective memory concerns were associated with lower odds for patient-rated cognitive decline.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supports ECT as an effective and safe treatment, although subgroups have a less favorable outcome. ECT should be considered at an early stage for older patients suffering from depression with psychotic features. Providing comprehensive and balanced information from clinicians and patients perspectives on effects and side effects, may assist in a joint consent process.

Catatonia and ECT across the lifespan

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment for catatonia with high response rates. Although empirical data suggest that tolerability and efficacy are at least as good as in adults, ECT treatment of children, adolescents, and geriatric patients seems to pose a specific challenge for many practitioners. This article intends to explore and discuss reasons hindering the use of ECT in these patient groups, give an overview on the use of ECT to treat catatonia and provide practical advice on ECT in children, adolescents, and geriatric patients for the treatment of catatonia. Classification of catatonia as a subform of schizophrenia and a diagnostic overlap with other common conditions in children, adolescents, and geriatric patients might lead to underdiagnosis of catatonia. Concerns about the mechanism of action and about a lack of controlled studies as well as general concerns about the use of ECT in children and adolescents might lead to underutilization of ECT. However, studies of ECT to treat catatonia in children, adolescents, and geriatric patients consistently show its safety and effectiveness. Administration of ECT needs to consider some specific characteristics of children, adolescents, and geriatric patients. In conclusion, ECT is a safe and highly effective treatment for catatonia across the lifespan. Existing evidence does not warrant restrictions of its use in certain age groups.

What Can We Tell About the Effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy on the Human Hippocampus?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective antidepressant treatment, although its mechanisms of action remain unclear. Since 2010, several structural magnetic resonance imaging studies based on a neuroplastic hypothesis have consistently reported increases in the hippocampal volume following ECT. Moreover, volume increases in the human dentate gyrus, where neurogenesis occurs, have also been reported. These results are in line with the preclinical findings of ECT-induced neuroplastic changes, including neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis, and angiogenesis, in rodents and nonhuman primates. Despite this robust evidence of an effect of ECT on hippocampal plasticity, the clinical relevance of these human hippocampal changes continues to be questioned. This narrative review summarizes recent findings regarding ECT-induced hippocampal volume changes. Furthermore, this review also discusses methodological considerations and future directions in this field.

Electroconvulsive therapy: recent advances and anesthetic considerations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes the current indications and principles of ECT. Contemporary anesthetic considerations are described with a focus on the optimal use of hypnotic agents and providing ECT in pregnant patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

ECT is useful in treatment-resistant major depression, bipolar disorders, and treatment-resistant schizophrenia. It is a well tolerated treatment in pregnant patients with treatment-resistant depression. Cognitive side effects may be attenuated by using unilateral placement of scalp electrodes, fewer treatment sessions, and the use of ultrabrief pulse width of the electrical charge. All modern hypnotics can be used for induction of anesthesia for ECT but should be titrated to effect. Etomidate is superior to Propofol in regarding seizure quality. The use of Ketamine shows good seizure quality and may alleviate cognitive impairment. Providing ECT for pregnant patients may prove challenging because of logistic difficulties and the physiologic changes during pregnancy. Although representing an effective treatment option in severely ill patients, ECT is underutilized because of stigmatization and ethnic and financial disparities.

SUMMARY

ECT is effective in treating treatment-resistant psychiatric illnesses. Symptoms of cognitive impairment are the most common side effects but can be treated by modifying the technique of ECT. All modern hypnotics can be used for the induction of general anesthesia. Etomidate and Ketamine may be of special interest in patients with insufficient seizure duration. Treating pregnant patients with ECT requires a multidisciplinary approach, in order to provide a safe therapy for mother and unborn child. Stigmatization and social disparities are hindering the widespread use of ECT as an effective treatment for severely ill psychiatric patients.

Depression as a major component of a gait disorder-Successful multimodal treatment including electroconvulsive therapy : A case report

This case report describes an 82-year-old patient who was treated in a gerontological psychiatric ward due to a multifactorial gait disorder with falls. The main component of the gait disorder was depression, which was accompanied by a pronounced fear of falling. Other factors were polyneuropathy, gonarthrosis and an exercise deficit after previous inactivity. An important part of the multimodal treatment was electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A total of nine sessions of ECT in right unilateral stimulation were conducted. The treatment resulted in a significant improvement of the depression and the gait disorder, which was impressively reflected in the geriatric assessment. The presented case shows that depression and fear of falling should not be underestimated as (main) components of a gait disorder. Here, a multimodal treatment including treatment of the depression by ECT was successful.

ECT: An essential therapy in psychiatry

At a time when innovations in psychiatry are booming, particularly in the field of medical devices, we thought it necessary, as members of French Society for Biological Psychiatry and Neuropsychopharmacology (AFPBN), to reconsider one of the oldest medical devices in psychiatry: the ECT apparatus. First, we recall the regulatory aspects of ECT. National guidelines define means of implementation and conditions of administration of ECT. Second, we remind of the indications and levels of evidence of ECT in the main psychiatric disorders, including catatonia. Then, we synthetize the place of ECT alongside other brain stimulation therapies, especially repetitive Trancranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). Furthermore, we explain the general effects of ECT: increased neuronal plasticity and neurogenesis, enhancement of the stress axis, resistance to oxidative stress, improved vascular endothelial function, activation of microglia and astrocytes, decrease in inflammatory events by upregulation of neuroinflammatory cytokines, and production of mitochondrial ATP. These effects appear from the first sessions and continue during the course of ECT treatment, suggesting activation of endogenous neuroprotection. Finally, we remember that most patients perform as well or better on neuropsychological assessments after ECT, relative to pre-ECT results, and this improvement continues over the following months. Memory disorders reported post-ECT are not all attributable to ECT. They may be subjective in nature or linked to residual depressive (and possibly comorbid neurogenerative) symptoms later attributed to ECT, on the basis of preexisting negative representations. We urgently need to reemphasize the crucial role of ECT in psychiatric treatment strategies as well as the need to update ECT recommendations.

Long-term Outcome Following Electroconvulsive Therapy for Late-Life Depression: Five-Year Follow-up Data From the MODECT Study

OBJECTIVE

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for late-life depression (LLD). Research addressing long-term outcome following an acute course of ECT for LLD is limited. We aimed to describe relapse, cognitive impairment and survival 5 years after a treatment with ECT for severe LLD, and assess the association of clinical characteristics with all three outcome measures.

METHODS

This cohort study was part of the Mood Disorders in Elderly treated with ECT (MODECT) study, which included patients aged 55 years and older with major depressive disorder. Data regarding clinical course, cognitive impairment and mortality were collected 5 years after the index ECT course. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and logistic regression models to assess the association of clinical characteristics with relapse and survival, and cognitive impairment, respectively.

RESULTS

We studied 110 patients with a mean age of 72.9 years. 67.1% of patients who showed response at the end of the index ECT course relapsed, and the included clinical characteristics were not significantly associated with the risk of relapse. 38.8% of patients with available data showed cognitive impairment at five-year follow-up. 27.5% were deceased; higher age and a higher number of previous psychiatric admissions were significantly associated with increased risk of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Five-year outcome after a course of ECT for severe LLD seems to be in line with long-term outcome following other acute treatments for severe LLD in terms of relapse, cognitive impairment and survival. Additional studies aimed at improving long-term outcome in severe LLD are warranted.

Association between electroconvulsive therapy and depressive disorder from 2012 to 2021: Bibliometric analysis and global trends

Background

Depressive disorder is a chronic mental illness that is vulnerable to relapse, imposes a huge economic burden on society and patients, and is a major global public health problem. Depressive disorders are characterized by depressed mood, decreased energy and interest, and suicidal ideation and behavior in severe cases. They can be treated through pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy or physical treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In patients with suicidal ideation, behavior, or refractory depressive disorder ECT has a faster onset of action and better efficacy than pharmacotherapy. This study used bibliometric and visual analyses to map the current state of global research on ECT for depressive disorder and to predict future research trends in this area.

Materials and methods

A literature search was performed for studies on ECT and depressive disorder in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. All studies considered for this paper were published between 2012 and 2021. Bibliometric and co-occurrence analyses were performed using the CiteSpace software.

Results

In total, 2,184 publications were retrieved. The number of publications on ECT and depressive disorder have been increasing since 2012, with China being a emerging hub with a growing influence in the field. Zafiris J. Daskalakis is the top author in terms of number of publications, and The Journal of ECT is not only the most published journal but also the most co-cited journal in the field. Co-occurrence analysis showed that electroconvulsive therapy, treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, hippocampus, efficacy, and electrode placement are current research hotspots. Molecular biomarkers, neuroimaging predictors, and late-life depression will become research hotspots in the future.

Conclusion

Our analysis made it possible to observe an important growth of the field since 2012, to identify key scientific actors in this growth and to predict hot topics for future research.

QEEG Biomarkers for ECT Treatment Response in Schizophrenia

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a clinically effective treatment for schizophrenia (SZD). However, studies have shown that only about 50 to 80% of patients show response to ECT. To identify the most suitable patients for ECT, developing biomarkers predicting ECT response remains an important goal. This study aimed to explore the quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) biomarkers to predict ECT efficacy. Methods: Thirty patients who met DSM-5 criteria for SZD and had been assigned to ECT were recruited. 32-lead Resting-EEG recordings were collected one hour before the initial ECT treatment. Positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS) was assessed at baseline and after the eighth ECT session. EEG data were analyzed using mutual information. Results: In the brain network density threshold range of 0.05 to 0.2, the assortativity of the right temporal, right parietal, and right occipital cortex in the response group was significantly higher than that in the non-response group (p < .05) in the beta band. In the theta band, the left frontal, parietal, right occipital cortex, and central area assortativity were higher in the response group than in the non-response group (p < .05). Conclusions: QEEG might be a useful approach to identify the candidate biomarker for ECT in clinical practice.

Prevalence of Comorbid Dementia in Late-life Depression and Bipolar Disorder: A Retrospective Inpatient Study

Background:

Dementia in patients with late-life mood disorders is clinically important.

Objective:

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of dementia in patients with late-life major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BD) and to clarify the clinical characteristics associated with the diagnosis of dementia.

Methods:

The prevalence of dementia at hospital discharge and the clinical characteristics at hospitalization who are diagnosed with MDD or BD over 65 years of age, from the medical records of 684 patients who had been admitted from 2015 to 2020 were investigated.

Results:

A total of 66 patients with MDD (n = 50) and BD (n = 16) were analyzed. The prevalence of dementia was significantly higher in MDD than in BD (24.0% versus 0%; p = 0.026). The mean age at onset of MDD was significantly older in the MDD with dementia group than in the MDD without (76.9±6.3 years versus 62.2±14.0 years; p < 0.001). The rate of first depressive episode at this admission was significantly higher in the MDD with dementia group (91.7% versus 30.3%; p < 0.001). The diagnosis of dementia was significantly associated with lower scores for “insomnia early” (p = 0.019) and higher scores for “insight” (p = 0.049) on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating (HAMD-17) subscales and lower scores for “recall” (p = 0.003) on the MMSE subscales.

Conclusion:

The older age of first onset of depression, “insomnia early”, “insight” and “recall” may be useful indicators for a diagnosis of dementia in late-life depression.

The Use of ECT in the Elderly-Looking Beyond Depression

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We reviewed recent evidence on the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the geriatric population. This review looked at the literature on depression, for which there is a breadth of data, as well as other conditions that have historically not been as well studied, as well as attempting to provide practical recommendations for ECT practitioners. This review also examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ECT in the elderly.

RECENT FINDINGS

ECT shows robust efficacy across many psychiatric diseases, from depression and bipolar disorder to psychosis and catatonia. It has also shown positive results at improving behavioral symptoms of dementia, as well as improving motor symptoms seen in Parkinson's disease. It is routinely found to be a safe treatment as well, generally with only minimal transient side effects. ECT should not be considered a "last-resort" treatment for geriatric patients suffering from psychiatric disorders. It has historical and recent literature supporting its use in many psychiatric disorders and has been shown to be safe with minimal side effects when appropriate considerations are taken for the elderly population.

The Effects of Baseline Impaired Global Cognitive Function on the Efficacy and Cognitive Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Geriatric Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

This study explores the association between baseline impaired global cognitive function and changes in global cognitive function and depression among geriatric patients undergoing acute course electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Single freestanding psychiatric hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients aged 50 and older receiving ECT.

INTERVENTIONS

10 ECT treatments.

MEASUREMENTS

Cognitive assessments with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Depression assessment with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self Report 16 item scale (QIDS).

RESULTS

Baseline and follow-up data were available for 684 patients. On average, patients with baseline normal cognition (MoCA ≥26; N = 371) had a decrease in MoCA of -1.44±0.26 points over the course of treatment, while those with baseline impaired global cognitive function (MoCA <26; N = 313) had an increase in MoCA of 1.72±0.25 points. Baseline cognitive status was not associated with a differential response on the QIDS.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with baseline impaired global cognitive function did not demonstrate a worsening in cognition following ECT, and baseline global cognitive function was not associated with a differential change in depression with ECT. These results suggest that impaired global cognitive function should not be viewed as a contraindication to ECT in geriatric patients.

Anesthetic care for electroconvulsive therapy

Counselling and medication are often thought of as the only interventions for psychiatric disorders, but electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has also been applied in clinical practice for over 80 years. ECT refers to the application of an electric stimulus through the patient’s scalp to treat psychiatric disorders such as treatment-resistant depression, catatonia, and schizophrenia. It is a safe, effective, and evidence-based therapy performed under general anesthesia with muscle relaxation. An appropriate level of anesthesia is essential for safe and successful ECT; however, little is known about this because of the limited interest from anesthesiologists. As the incidence of ECT increases, more anesthesiologists will be required to better understand the physiological changes, complications, and pharmacological actions of anesthetics and adjuvant drugs. Therefore, this review focuses on the fundamental physiological changes, management, and pharmacological actions associated with various drugs, such as anesthetics and neuromuscular blocking agents, as well as the comorbidities, indications, contraindications, and complications of using these agents as part of an ECT procedure through a literature review and our own experiences.

Cognitive Adverse Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Discrepancy Between Subjective and Objective Measures?

OBJECTIVES

The character and duration of cognitive adverse effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are unclear. This study investigated (1) the sensitivity of a short cognitive test battery to cognitive adverse effects of ECT, (2) the relation between subjective and objective cognitive adverse effects, and (3) patient characteristics associated with more subjective than objective adverse effects.

METHODS

Forty-one patients with unipolar or bipolar depression referred to ECT underwent assessments at baseline, 5 to 7 days post-ECT, and 3 months post-ECT. Patients rated their fear of various aspects of ECT on a visual analog scale. At each assessment, patients were evaluated for depressive symptoms, completed the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) and Trail Making Test-Part B (TMT-B), and rated their cognitive difficulties.

RESULTS

Patients feared cognitive adverse effects and lack of treatment efficacy more than other aspects of ECT. The SCIP and TMT-B revealed transient decline in objective cognition after ECT, which was reversed after 3 months. Patients presented with more subjective than objective cognitive difficulties at baseline and more subjective than objective cognitive adverse effects of ECT. This discrepancy was significantly reduced at follow-up. Younger age and poorer objective cognition pretreatment were associated with more subjective than objective cognitive adverse effects 5 to 7 days after ECT.

CONCLUSIONS

The SCIP and TMT-B are sensitive to cognitive adverse effects of ECT. Patients show more subjective than objective cognitive adverse effects of ECT. These insights can be used clinically to inform patients of treatment choice and expected cognitive consequences.

Real-world evidence of age-independent electroconvulsive therapy efficacy: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for depressive disorders and approved for use in adolescents and adults, but it is unclear whether efficacy or cognitive side effect burden differs with age or if effectiveness in usual clinical practice matches that in prospective studies. We examined the effects of ECT on depression and cognition in a large clinical cohort.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients ages 16 and older receiving ECT between 2011 and 2020 and who were evaluated with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS), the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale-24 (BASIS-24), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at baseline and after treatment #10.

RESULTS

Among 1698 patients, ECT was associated with a decrease in depression symptoms (QIDS reduction from 17.1 ± 4.9 to 10.1 ± 5.2) and improvement in self-reported mental health (BASIS-24 scores improved from 1.92 ± 0.55 to 1.17 ± 0.60). There was a reduction in MoCA scores from 25.8 ± 3.1 to 25.4 ± 3.1. In multivariate models, age was not associated with a differential QIDS or BASIS-24 response, but older age was associated with a lesser reduction in MoCA.

CONCLUSION

Among 1698 patients aged 16 and older, ECT was associated with improvement in depression and overall self-reported mental health, with a slight decrease in cognition. Age was not associated with changes in efficacy, but older age was associated with a lesser cognitive change as measured by the MoCA. These results provide normative data of real-world effectiveness of ECT, and add further support to its utility in patients with severe psychiatric illness.

One-Year Clinical Outcomes Following Electroconvulsive Therapy for Patients with Schizophrenia: A Nationwide Health Insurance Data-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Although the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of schizophrenia has decreased since the advent of antipsychotic drugs, ECT is still implemented in several clinical indications. However, a few population-based studies have examined its real-world effectiveness in schizophrenia.

METHODS

We used data from 2010 to 2019 from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database in the Republic of Korea. We selected 380 schizophrenia patients having more than six ECT sessions and 1140 patient controls matched for age, sex, calendar year at entry, and the number of psychiatric hospitalizations before the time point of start of psychiatric hospitalization for ECT. Antipsychotic treatment discontinuation, psychiatric hospitalization, and direct medical costs were used as measures of clinical outcomes. Multiple regression analysis was used for any group-by-time interaction effect, and 1-year pre- and post-ECT periods were compared within and between the groups.

RESULTS

We found a significantly lower number of antipsychotic treatment discontinuations in the ECT group during the 1-year post-ECT period (t=2.195, p=0.028). A larger decrease was found in the number of psychiatric hospitalizations in the ECT group, with a group-by-time interaction effect (p=0.043). The direct medical costs in the 1-year pre- (t=-8.782, p<0.001) and post-ECT periods (t=-9.107, p<0.001) were higher in the ECT group than in the control group, with no significant change across both periods.

CONCLUSION

We found that the ECT group had a larger decrease in the number of psychiatric hospitalizations in the 1-year post-ECT period than the control group.

Longitudinal Neurocognitive Effects of Combined Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Pharmacotherapy in Major Depressive Disorder in Older Adults: Phase 2 of the PRIDE Study

OBJECTIVE

There is limited information regarding neurocognitive outcomes of right unilateral ultrabrief pulse width electroconvulsive therapy (RUL-UB ECT) combined with pharmacotherapy in older adults with major depressive disorder. We report longitudinal neurocognitive outcomes from Phase 2 of the Prolonging Remission in Depressed Elderly (PRIDE) study.

METHOD

After achieving remission with RUL-UB ECT and venlafaxine, older adults (≥60 years old) were randomized to receive symptom-titrated, algorithm-based longitudinal ECT (STABLE) plus pharmacotherapy (venlafaxine and lithium) or pharmacotherapy-only. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was administered at baseline and throughout the 6-month treatment period. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value of less than 0.05 (two-sided test).

RESULTS

With the exception of processing speed, there was statistically significant improvement across most neurocognitive measures from baseline to 6-month follow-up. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups at 6 months on measures of psychomotor processing speed, autobiographical memory consistency, short-term and long-term verbal memory, phonemic fluency, inhibition, and complex visual scanning and cognitive flexibility.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first report of neurocognitive outcomes over a 6-month period of an acute course of RUL-UB ECT followed by one of 2 strategies to prolong remission in older adults with major depression. Neurocognitive outcome did not differ between STABLE plus pharmacotherapy versus pharmacotherapy alone over the 6-month continuation treatment phase. These findings support the safety of RUL-UB ECT in combination with pharmacotherapy in the prolonging of remission in late-life depression.

Long-Term Risk of Developing Dementia After Electroconvulsive Therapy for Affective Disorders

OBJECTIVES

Severe depression is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, however, whether treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) modify this risk remains unknown.

METHODS

In this matched cohort study, 1089 consecutive in-patients with affective disorders, receiving ECT during the period 1982 to 2000, were matched with 3011 in-patients with affective disorders not treated with ECT (non-ECT), and 108,867 individuals randomly selected from the background population. The comparison cohorts were matched on sex, age, and the non-ECT cohort was further matched according to diagnoses and admission period and hospital. Dementia diagnoses were retrieved from the national patient health registry. Analyses were adjusted for disease severity, somatic, and psychiatric comorbidities.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of dementia was 13.45% (10.75-16.46%) in the ECT cohort after 34 years of follow-up, 10.53% (8.5-12.81%) in the non-ECT cohort, and 8.43% (8.17-8.7%) in the background cohort. Using the ECT cohort as reference and age as the underlying time scale, the adjusted hazard ratio of developing dementia was 0.73 (0.52-1.04) in the non-ECT cohort and 0.61 (0.49-0.76) in the background cohort. The stratified analysis based on age at index (<65 years; 65-80 years; >80 years) found no age-related difference in the risk of developing dementia between the ECT cohort and non-ECT cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The ECT treatment of affective disorders was not associated with an increased long-term risk of developing dementia compared with in-patients with affective disorders not treated with ECT.

Electroconvulsive therapy for depression: 80 years of progress

Electroconvulsive therapy is the most effective treatment for severe, psychotic or treatment-resistant depression. However, its effectiveness continues to be questioned, both in mainstream media and narratives within the scientific literature. In this analysis, we use an evidence-based approach to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of modern electroconvulsive therapy.

Risk of serious medical events in patients with depression treated with electroconvulsive therapy: a propensity score-matched, retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies examining the risk of medical complications from electroconvulsive therapy have been confounded and this might contribute to its underuse. This study aimed to compare the risk of serious medical events, defined as those resulting in hospitalisation or death, among patients with depression who received electroconvulsive therapy versus patients who did not receive electroconvulsive therapy.

METHODS

This was a propensity score-matched, retrospective cohort study using linked population-based administrative health data for adults admitted to designated psychiatric facilities in Ontario, Canada, for more than 3 days with depression between April 1, 2007, to Feb 28, 2017. Electroconvulsive therapy exposure was defined as one or more physician billing procedure codes during hospitalisation. The unit of analysis was individual admissions and propensity score matching was used to match each exposed admission to an unexposed admission to estimate the average treatment effect of electroconvulsive therapy among those treated. The primary outcome was serious medical events, a composite of hospitalisation for medical (ie, non-psychiatric) reasons or non-suicide death within 30 days from electroconvulsive therapy exposure or matched date in the unexposed group. Effect modification was examined using tests of interaction for three clinically relevant prespecified subgroups (sex, presence of psychotic symptoms, and illness polarity). Secondary outcomes were medical hospitalisation and non-suicide death separately, suicide death, and specific serious medical events.

FINDINGS

In propensity score matched analyses, there were 10 016 psychiatric hospitalisation records (6628 women, 3388 men) with mean age 56·6 years (SD 16·3) and no ethnicity data available. 65 818 admissions were eligible for matching and 5008 were matched (1:1) in each exposure group. In the propensity score matched cohort, the incidence of serious medical events was 0·25 per person-year in the exposed group and 0·33 per person-year in the unexposed group (cause-specific hazard ratio 0·78 [95% CI 0·61-1·00]). Suicide death as a competing risk did not alter this finding. The risk of suicide death was significantly lower in the exposed (≤5 of 5008 admissions) versus the unexposed group (11 [0·2%] of 5008 admissions; p<0·03). Bipolar depression, compared with unipolar depression, was associated with a greater reduction in the risk of serious medical events with electroconvulsive therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy was not associated with medical hospitalisation or non-suicide death separately, nor with any specific serious medical event.

INTERPRETATION

Among individuals hospitalised with depression, we found no evidence for a clinically significant increased risk for serious medical events with exposure to electroconvulsive therapy, and the risk of suicide was found to be significantly reduced, suggesting the benefits of electroconvulsive therapy for depression outcomes might outweigh its risks in this population.

FUNDING

Norris Scholars Award, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto; the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.

Biophysical mechanisms of electroconvulsive therapy-induced volume expansion in the medial temporal lobe: A longitudinal in vivo human imaging study

Background:

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) applies electric currents to the brain to induce seizures for therapeutic purposes. ECT increases gray matter (GM) volume, predominantly in the medial temporal lobe (MTL). The contribution of induced seizures to this volume change remains unclear.

Methods:

T1-weighted structural MRI was acquired from thirty patients with late-life depression (mean age 72.5 ± 7.9 years, 19 female), before and one week after one course of right unilateral ECT. Whole brain voxel-/deformation-/surface-based morphometry analyses were conducted to identify tissue-specific (GM, white matter: WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cerebral morphometry changes following ECT. Whole-brain voxel-wise electric field (EF) strength was estimated to investigate the association of EF distribution and regional brain volume change. The association between percentage volume change in the right MTL and ECT-related parameters (seizure duration, EF, and number of ECT sessions) was investigated using multiple regression.

Results:

ECT induced widespread GM volume expansion with corresponding contraction in adjacent CSF compartments, and limited WM change. The regional EF was strongly correlated with the distance from the electrodes, but not with regional volume change. The largest volume expansion was identified in the right MTL, and this was correlated with the total seizure duration.

Conclusions:

Right unilateral ECT induces widespread, bilateral regional volume expansion and contraction, with the largest change in the right MTL. This dynamic volume change cannot be explained by the effect of electrical stimulation alone and is related to the cumulative effect of ECT-induced seizures.

Current Practices of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Short and Long-Term Cognitive Effects

ABSTRACT

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains one of the most effective treatments for major depressive disorder, but uncertainties persist regarding the cognitive tests to include in ECT follow-up. The current study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the most frequent cognitive side effects after ECT. We also discuss the most common cognitive tests in ECT follow-up. We searched studies published from 2000 to 2017 in English and French language in Pubmed, EBM Reviews, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. Standardized cognitive tests were separated into 11 cognitive domains. Comparisons between cognitive measures included pre-ECT baseline with post-ECT measures at 3 times: PO1, immediately post-ECT (within 24 hours after last ECT); PO2, short term (1-28 days); and PO3, long term (more than 1 month). A total of 91 studies were included, with an aggregated sample of 3762 individuals. We found no significant changes in global cognition with Mini-Mental State Examination at PO1. Hedges g revealed small to medium effect sizes at PO2, with individuals presenting a decrease in autobiographical memory, verbal fluency, and verbal memory. Verbal fluency problems showed an inverse correlation with age, with younger adults showing greater deficits. At PO3, there is an improvement on almost all cognitive domains, including verbal fluency and verbal memory. There is a lack of standardization in the choice of cognitive tests and optimal cognitive timing. The Mini-Mental State Examination is the most common screening test used in ECT, but its clinical utility is extremely limited to track post-ECT cognitive changes. Cognitive assessment for ECT purposes should include autobiographical memory, verbal fluency, and verbal memory.

Recent advances in electroconvulsive therapy and physical treatments for depression

This article gives an update for practitioners on recent developments in the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and related treatment modalities in the contemporary treatment of depression in the UK. Details are provided on new information on the efficacy and side-effects of ECT both in research studies and in the real world, together with recent research on ECT's mode of delivery. There is a focus on the safe administration of ECT in clinical practice. An update on the regulatory framework for ECT in the UK is provided, together with up-to-date information on the legal situation regarding its prescription. Finally, brief summaries of the current position for other neuromodulatory treatment modalities are given.

Neurocognitive functioning after electroconvulsive therapy in late-life depression: A 4-year prospective study

OBJECTIVE

Despite the proven efficacy and safety of ECT, there is still concern about the possible cognitive side effects of ECT in older patients. In this study, we aimed to characterize the long-term cognitive effects of ECT in patients with late-life depression (LLD) from before the start until 4 years after the index ECT course.

METHODS

Fourty one patients aged 55 years and older with a unipolar depression, referred for ECT, were included. The neuropsychological test battery was assessed prior to ECT, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years after the last ECT session.

RESULTS

We did not find any statistically significant cognitive changes from before the start to 4 years after ending the ECT course. Although we could not detect cognitive changes at group level, we found clinically important differences on an individual level.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive performance in patients with LLD runs a stable course from before the start of ECT until 4 years after the index course. At an individual level, however, both cognitive decline and improvement can be witnessed. Older patients can tolerate ECT and most of them will not experience long-term cognitive side effects.

Adjunctive Magnetic Seizure Therapy for Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review

Objective: The efficacy and safety of adjunctive magnetic seizure therapy (MST) for patients with schizophrenia are unclear. This systematic review was conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of adjunctive MST for schizophrenia. Methods: Chinese (WanFang and Chinese Journal Net) and English (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library) databases were systematically searched. Results: Two open-label self-controlled studies (n = 16) were included and analyzed in this review. In these studies, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) total scores significantly decreased from baseline to post-MST (all Ps < 0.05), without serious adverse neurocognitive effects. Mixed findings on the neurocognitive effects of adjunctive MST for schizophrenia were reported in the two studies. A discontinuation rate of treatment of up to 50% (4/8) was reported in both studies. The rate of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was evaluated in only one study, where the most common ADRs were found to be dizziness (25%, 2/8) and subjective memory loss (12.5%, 1/8). Conclusion: There is inconsistent evidence for MST-related adverse neurocognitive effects and preliminary evidence for the alleviation of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia.

Effects of electroconvulsive shock on neuro-immune responses: Does neuro-damage occur?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for treatment-resistant depression. However, this treatment may produce memory impairment. The mechanisms of the cognitive adverse effects are not known. Neuroimmune response is related to the cognitive deficits. By reviewing the available animal literature, we examined the glia activation, inflammatory cytokines, neuron oxidative stress responses, and neural morphological changes following electroconvulsive shock (ECS) treatment. The studies showed that ECS activates microglia, upregulates neuro-inflammatory cytokines, and increases oxidative stress responses. But these effects are rapid and may be transient. They normalize as ECS treatment continues, suggesting endogenous neuroprotection may be mobilized. The transient changes are well in line with the clinical observations that ECT usually does not cause significant long-lasting retrograde amnesia. The longitudinal studies will be particularly important to explore the dynamic changes of neuroplasticity following ECT (Jonckheere et al., 2018). Investigating the neuroplasticity changes in animals that suffered chronic stress may also be crucial to giving support to the translation of preclinical research.

Does electroconvulsive therapy cause brain damage: An update

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective modality of treatment for a variety of psychiatric disorders. However, it has always been accused of being a coercive, unethical, and dangerous modality of treatment. The dangerousness of ECT has been mainly attributed to its claimed ability to cause brain damage. This narrative review aims to provide an update of the evidence with regard to whether the practice of ECT is associated with damage to the brain. An accepted definition of brain damage remains elusive. There are also ethical and technical problems in designing studies that look at this question specifically. Thus, even though there are newer technological tools and innovations, any review attempting to answer this question would have to take recourse to indirect methods. These include structural, functional, and metabolic neuroimaging; body fluid biochemical marker studies; and follow-up studies of cognitive impairment and incidence of dementia in people who have received ECT among others. The review of literature and present evidence suggests that ECT has a demonstrable impact on the structure and function of the brain. However, there is a lack of evidence at present to suggest that ECT causes brain damage.

Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Depression and Its Potential Mechanism

Depression is one of the most common disorders causing mortality around the world. Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is, along with antidepressants and psychotherapy, one of the three major treatments of depression, it is still considered as the last resort for depressed patients. This situation is partially due to limited studies and uncertainty regarding its mechanism. However, decades of increased research have focused on the effects of ECT on depression and its potential mechanism. Furthermore, these investigations may suggest that ECT should be a first-line therapy for depression due to its profound effects in relieving desperation in certain situations. Here, we outline recent clinical and preclinical studies and summarize the advantages and disadvantages of ECT. Thus, this review may provide some hints for clinical application.

Electroconvulsive Therapy for Patients with Catatonia: Current Perspectives

Catatonia is a serious, common syndrome of motoric and behavioral dysfunction, which carries high morbidity and mortality. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the definitive treatment for catatonia, but access to ECT for the treatment of catatonia remains inappropriately limited. Catatonia is observable, detectable, and relevant to various medical specialties, but underdiagnosis impedes the delivery of appropriate treatment and heightens risk of serious complications including iatrogenesis. Current understanding of catatonia's pathophysiology links it to the current understanding of ECT's mechanism of action. Definitive catatonia care requires recognition of the syndrome, workup to identify and treat the underlying cause, and effective management including appropriate referral for ECT. Even when all of these conditions are met, and despite well-established data on the safety and efficacy of ECT, stigma surrounding ECT and legal restrictions for its use in catatonia are additional critical barriers. Addressing the underdiagnosis of catatonia and barriers to its treatment with ECT is vital to improving outcomes for patients. While no standardized protocols for treatment of catatonia with ECT exist, a large body of research guides evidence-based care and reveals where additional research is warranted. The authors conducted a review of the literature on ECT as a treatment for catatonia. Based on the review, the authors offer strategies and future directions for improving access to ECT for patients with catatonia, and propose an algorithm for the treatment of catatonia with ECT.

Markers of HPA-axis activity and nucleic acid damage from oxidation after electroconvulsive stimulations in rats

OBJECTIVE

Oxidative stress has been suggested to increase after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment which continues to be the most effective for severe depression. Oxidative stress could potentially be mechanistically involved in both the therapeutic effects and side effects of ECT.

METHODS

We measured sensitive markers of systemic and central nervous system (CNS) oxidative stress on DNA and RNA (urinary 8-oxodG/8-oxoGuo, cerebrospinal fluid 8-oxoGuo, and brain oxoguanine glycosylase mRNA expression) in male rats subjected to electroconvulsive stimulations (ECS), an animal model of ECT. Due to the previous observations that link hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis activity and age to DNA/RNA damage from oxidation, groups of young and middle-aged male animals were included, and markers of HPA-axis activity were measured.

RESULTS

ECS induced weight loss, increased corticosterone (only in middle-aged animals), and decreased cerebral glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression, while largely leaving the markers of systemic and CNS DNA/RNA damage from oxidation unaltered.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that ECS is not associated with any lasting effects on oxidative stress on nucleic acids neither in young nor middle-aged rats.

Depression, memory and electroconvulsive therapy

SummaryCurrent neuroscience suggests that although short-term memory difficulties frequently occur immediately after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), longer-term problems are less common. However, gaps in our knowledge remain regarding longer-term cognitive problems after ECT, including memory function. Some of these relate to the complexities surrounding cognitive testing and interpretation of test results. An important question in clinical decision-making is why, despite current evidence suggesting long-term memory problems are less frequent, some patients still report subjective memory difficulties. To further advance clinical practice and the neuroscience surrounding post-ECT cognitive function, assessment of cognitive function, possibly including neuropsychological testing, should potentially become more routine as part of clinical practice.Declaration of interestNone.

Therapeutic Uses of Seizures in Neuropsychiatry

Although seizures typically indicate a state of brain dysfunction, there are circumstances in which the biological effects of a seizure may exert therapeutic benefits. The standard technique for inducing controlled therapeutic seizures in humans is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment that involves the application of an electrical stimulus to the scalp of a patient under general anesthesia and muscle relaxation. This review discusses the contemporary use of ECT for treating certain mental and neurologic disorders and previews two experimental forms of seizure therapy that are related to ECT and may hold promise for the future: focal electrically administered seizure therapy and magnetic seizure therapy.

Use of electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents with schizophrenia in China

BACKGROUND

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder. However, few studies have addressed the use of ECT in adolescents with schizophrenia. The aims of our study were to investigate the frequency of ECT, and its relationship with clinical and demographic correlates among adolescents with schizophrenia in China.

METHODS

The study was a retrospective study and conducted in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department of Beijing Anding Hospital, and adolescents with schizophrenia over a period of 10 years (2007-2016) were enrolled. The demographic and clinical data were collected from the electronic chart management system.

RESULTS

A total of 835 patients were included, 411/835 (49.2%) of the adolescent inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were in ECT group. There were significant differences in the sex, age, high risk for aggression and suicide, family history of psychiatric disorders and concomitant psychotropic medication (antidepressants and benzodiazepines) between the ECT and non-ECT groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that ECT use was independently and positively associated with sex, high risk for suicide.

CONCLUSIONS

In a major psychiatric center in China, the use of ECT was common, and reasons for the high use of ECT for adolescent patients in this hospital should warrant urgent investigations.

Electroconvulsive Therapy and Risk of Dementia-A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, and a temporary memory loss may occur after ECT. However, the association between ECT in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, and the risk of dementia is yet to be examined. Objective: This study aimed to clarify as to whether ECT is associated with the risk of dementia after ECT in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Methods: A total of 3,796 enrolled participants (schizophrenia, 46.68%; bipolar disorder, 11.77%; and major depressive disorder, 41.55%) with 994 patients who had received ECT and 2,982 controls matched for sex and age, between January 1, and December 31, 2000, were selected from the NHIRD. After adjusting for confounding factors, Fine and Gray's survival analysis was used to compare the risk of developing dementia during the 10 years of follow-up. Results: Of the study patients, 45 (4.53%) of them developed dementia when compared to 149 (5.0%) in the control group. Fine and Gray's survival analysis revealed that the study patients were not associated with an increased risk of dementia [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.612, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.438-1.854, P = 0.325]. After adjusting for sex, age, monthly income, urbanization level, geographic region, and comorbidities, the adjusted HR was 0.633 (95% CI = 0.448 - 1.895, P = 0.304). Conclusion: This study supports that ECT was not associated with the increased risk of dementia in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, using the NHIRD.