New Developments in Convulsive Therapy for Major Depression

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is highly effective in the treatment of major depression. Frontiers for enhancing ECT in the management of severe major depression include techniques to reduce cognitive side effects and improve efficacy for those patients who remain resistant to the therapeutic effects with traditional methods. Important relationships between electrical dosage and electrode placement have been identified and will make a major impact on the clinical conduct of ECT. Furthermore, advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic and adverse effects of ECT will guide the development of more refined ECT interventions and newer magnetic convulsive techniques to combat major depression. (C) 2001 Academic Press