When to switch from bilateral to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy: A simple way to elicit seizures in high seizure threshold cases

Abstract Aims Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for various psychiatric disorders, its therapeutic effect depends on the occurrence of adequate seizures. Thus, the management of inadequate seizures remains a clinical problem. Here, we aimed to develop a simple method to elicit ad...

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Main Authors: Masatoshi Eda, Ryo Matsuki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-03-01
Series:Neuropsychopharmacology Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/npr2.12039
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author Masatoshi Eda
Ryo Matsuki
author_facet Masatoshi Eda
Ryo Matsuki
author_sort Masatoshi Eda
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Aims Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for various psychiatric disorders, its therapeutic effect depends on the occurrence of adequate seizures. Thus, the management of inadequate seizures remains a clinical problem. Here, we aimed to develop a simple method to elicit adequate seizures in high seizure threshold patients during ECT sessions. Methods Right unilateral ECT was performed in 87 sessions (22 inpatients) in which 504 millicoulombs bilateral (bitemporal or bifrontal) electrical stimulation had failed to induce adequate seizures. A Thymatron® System IV (Somatics LLC, Lake Bluff, IL, USA) and the LOW 0.5 program were used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The electrode placement was bitemporal, bifrontal, or right unilateral (d'Elia placement). The minimum duration for an adequate seizure was 15 seconds in the electroencephalogram record of the Thymatron® stimulator. The efficacy of treatment was estimated by the Global Assessment of Functioning at the time of admission and discharge. Cognitive assessment was not performed. Results By switching to right unilateral stimulation immediately after failure of bilateral stimulation, adequate seizures were achieved in 71 of 87 (81.6%) sessions. Improvement in the Global Assessment of Functioning was observed in 23 of 28 (82.1%) treatment courses. Conclusion Switching from bilateral to unilateral electrode placement may be a simple clinical option for eliciting adequate seizures in high seizure threshold cases.
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spelling doaj.art-c85829eea74442799a732152ff59cbf82022-12-22T03:49:16ZengWileyNeuropsychopharmacology Reports2574-173X2019-03-01391364010.1002/npr2.12039When to switch from bilateral to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy: A simple way to elicit seizures in high seizure threshold casesMasatoshi Eda0Ryo Matsuki1Hokkaido Prefectural Midorigaoka Hospital Midorigaoka JapanHokkaido Prefectural Midorigaoka Hospital Midorigaoka JapanAbstract Aims Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for various psychiatric disorders, its therapeutic effect depends on the occurrence of adequate seizures. Thus, the management of inadequate seizures remains a clinical problem. Here, we aimed to develop a simple method to elicit adequate seizures in high seizure threshold patients during ECT sessions. Methods Right unilateral ECT was performed in 87 sessions (22 inpatients) in which 504 millicoulombs bilateral (bitemporal or bifrontal) electrical stimulation had failed to induce adequate seizures. A Thymatron® System IV (Somatics LLC, Lake Bluff, IL, USA) and the LOW 0.5 program were used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The electrode placement was bitemporal, bifrontal, or right unilateral (d'Elia placement). The minimum duration for an adequate seizure was 15 seconds in the electroencephalogram record of the Thymatron® stimulator. The efficacy of treatment was estimated by the Global Assessment of Functioning at the time of admission and discharge. Cognitive assessment was not performed. Results By switching to right unilateral stimulation immediately after failure of bilateral stimulation, adequate seizures were achieved in 71 of 87 (81.6%) sessions. Improvement in the Global Assessment of Functioning was observed in 23 of 28 (82.1%) treatment courses. Conclusion Switching from bilateral to unilateral electrode placement may be a simple clinical option for eliciting adequate seizures in high seizure threshold cases.https://doi.org/10.1002/npr2.12039bilateralelectroconvulsive therapyhigh seizure thresholdseizure augmentationunilateral
spellingShingle Masatoshi Eda
Ryo Matsuki
When to switch from bilateral to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy: A simple way to elicit seizures in high seizure threshold cases
Neuropsychopharmacology Reports
bilateral
electroconvulsive therapy
high seizure threshold
seizure augmentation
unilateral
title When to switch from bilateral to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy: A simple way to elicit seizures in high seizure threshold cases
title_full When to switch from bilateral to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy: A simple way to elicit seizures in high seizure threshold cases
title_fullStr When to switch from bilateral to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy: A simple way to elicit seizures in high seizure threshold cases
title_full_unstemmed When to switch from bilateral to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy: A simple way to elicit seizures in high seizure threshold cases
title_short When to switch from bilateral to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy: A simple way to elicit seizures in high seizure threshold cases
title_sort when to switch from bilateral to unilateral electroconvulsive therapy a simple way to elicit seizures in high seizure threshold cases
topic bilateral
electroconvulsive therapy
high seizure threshold
seizure augmentation
unilateral
url https://doi.org/10.1002/npr2.12039
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