Effects of electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents with severe endogenous depression resistant to pharmacotherapy.
BACKGROUND
This open, prospective study examined the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in 10 adolescents with primary, endogenous, psychotic depression who were resistant to antidepressant pharmacotherapy.


METHODS
Change in symptom severity from baseline was assessed weekly with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) ratings, and outcome was measured additionally at 1 month, and again at 1 year, post-ECT.


RESULTS
All but 1 patient demonstrated dramatic improvement, with statistically significant decreases in mean HDRS score detected after the first week of treatment. All responders maintained the benefits of their treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide evidence of the clinical effectiveness of ECT in adolescents with phenomenological characteristics shown to be predictive of ECT response in adults.
Strober
M
M
Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, Neuropsychiatric Institute & Hospital, School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles 90024-1759, USA.
Rao
U
U
DeAntonio
M
M
Liston
E
E
State
M
M
Amaya-Jackson
L
L
Latz
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents