title: The influence of age on the response of major depression to electroconvulsive therapy: a C.O.R.E. Report.
abstract: As part of a C.O.R.E., multi-site longitudinal study comparing continuation electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) vs. continuation pharmacotherapy, the authors determined the response of 253 patients with major depression to acute-phase, bilateral ECT by use of the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Remission rates for three age-groups, > or =65 years; 46-64 years; and < or =45 years, were 90 percent, 89.8 percent, and 70 percent, respectively. Age, as a continuous variable, positively influenced response to treatment. Bilateral, dose-titrated ECT is a highly effective acute treatment for major depression, and older age confers a greater likelihood of achieving remission.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knapp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Rummans
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petrides
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kellner
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction