Electroconvulsive therapy in treatment-resistant mania: case reports.
Electroconvulsive therapy is known to be effective in the treatment of mood disorders, more specifically for depression and mania. Although a large body of evidence confirms the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of mania, few prospective studies have been done to assess its effectiveness in treatment-resistant manic episodes. These case reports describe the initial results of a study that is being conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Electroconvulsive therapy among treatment-resistant bipolar patients.


METHODS
Three manic patients (according to DSM-IV criteria) who were considered treatment-resistant underwent a series of 12 bilateral Electroconvulsive therapy sessions. Before the treatment and then weekly, they were evaluated with the following rating scales: Young Mania Rating Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Clinical Global Impressions-Bipolar Version.


RESULTS
The 3 patients showed a satisfactory response to Electroconvulsive therapy, although some differences in the course of response were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These case reports suggest that Electroconvulsive therapy needs further evaluation for the treatment of resistant bipolar patients.
Soares
Marcia Britto de Macedo
MB
Mood Disorders Unit (GRUDA), Psiquiatric Institute, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo.
Moreno
Ricardo Alberto
RA
Moreno
Doris Hupfeld
DH
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents