Electroconvulsive Therapy: An Update

Abstract

Effects and side effects of electroconvulsive therapy have been a subject of debate since the begininng of its use to treat psychiatric disorders. As its antidepressant mechanism of action have been topic of many researches, many valuable findings were obtained ever since. However, methodological differences and different application protocols limited the accumulation of scientific data. Anticonvulsant effect and elevation of seizure threshold have been taken as outcome measures in many researches although it is still controversial. Some variables of treated disorders also may have affected researches. The aim of this article was to investigate current literature regarding application protocols and mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy.

Keywords

• ECT
• mechanism of action
• seizure threshold
• anticonvulsant effect