title: Safety and efficacy of ECT in patients with head injury: a case series.
abstract: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment for certain psychiatric disorders. Eleven patients who had sustained a closed head injury were treated with ECT for their psychiatric symptoms. Eight patients responded to an index course of ECT: 2 were partial responders and became responders during continuation ECT (cECT); 1 patient was a nonresponder. Post-ECT Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination and Mini-Mental State Examination scores showed no significant decline (P > 0.70 and P > 0.89, respectively) from baseline. Eight patients received cECT, without any lasting cognitive side effects. These findings indicate that ECT can be used effectively in patients with a history of closed head injury, without adverse effects on cognitive functioning.
authors.affiliation: Head Injury Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kant
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bogyi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome