Electroconvulsive therapy for agitation in Alzheimer disease: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Alzheimer disease (AD) patients frequently exhibit agitated behaviors that can be difficult to treat pharmacologically due to side effects and lack of efficacy. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a potential treatment option for patients who have failed medication trials.


METHODS
Chart review of agitated AD patients treated at Mayo Clinic with ECT from 2001 to 2006.


RESULTS
Of 11 patients, 9 had improvement or remission of agitated behavior. Hospitalizations in the year after the initial ECT series decreased significantly for all patients in the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective treatment for agitation in AD patients.
Sutor
Bruce
B
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Sutor.bruce@mayo.edu
Rasmussen
Keith G
KG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome