title: [Electroconvulsion therapy].
abstract: Electroconvulsion therapy (ECT) is the generation of an epileptic seizure by means of a brief pulse of electrical current under general anaesthesia and is used to treat psychiatric disorders. The principal indication for ECT is severe depression, with or without psychotic characteristics. ECT works quicker and is more effective than antidepressants and has a lower risk of side effects. The principle side effect is retrograde amnesia. ECT can be administered with unilateral or bilateral electrodes. In the Netherlands the unilateral electrode is used, as this probably gives rise to fewer cognitive side effects.
authors.affiliation: GGZ inGeest-Vrije Universiteit Medisch Centrum, afd. Ouderen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.dols@ggzingeest.nl
authors.forename: Annemiek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dols
authors.forename: Max L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Stek
mesh_terms: D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000628:therapy; D000648:Amnesia, Retrograde / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome