title: Weekly ECT in Geriatric Depression.
abstract: Fifteen elderly depressed psychiatric inpatients were randomly assigned to receive either standard three-times-weekly electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or once-weekly ECT. Outcome measures included cognitive assessment and antidepressant response. Although both groups improved with treatment, the three-times-weekly group improved substantially more quickly. There was no difference in cognitive effect between the two groups. We conclude that the traditional three-times-weekly schedule of ECT may optimally balance speed of antidepressant response and cognitive impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Charles H.
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kellner
authors.forename: Russell R.
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Monroe
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pritchett
authors.forename: Mark P.
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Jarrell
authors.forename: Hilary J.
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: Carol M.
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Burns