Physical treatments for bipolar disorder: a review of electroconvulsive therapy, stereotactic surgery and other brain stimulation techniques.
BACKGROUND
Despite pharmacological advances, bipolar disorder continues to be difficult to treat. This article reviews the evidence base for the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and other brain stimulation therapies in bipolar disorder.


METHODS
The evidence base for the efficacy of ECT and transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of mania, bipolar depression and mixed affective states was reviewed. Reports on the use of vagus nerve stimulation, stereotaxic surgery, deep brain stimulation, magnetic seizure therapy and transcranial direct current stimulation in treating depression, as well as bipolar disorder were also reviewed. Studies were identified from Medline and Embase database searches.


RESULTS
There are a few randomized controlled trials of ECT in mania and bipolar depression, and none in mixed affective states. Nevertheless, such studies consistently reported clinically meaningful efficacy, with a majority of pharmacotherapy resistant patients responding to ECT. Evidence for the use of other brain stimulation therapies in treating bipolar mood states is preliminary and limited.


CONCLUSIONS
ECT is an effective treatment for acute mania, bipolar depression and mixed affective states and has useful efficacy even in pharmacotherapy-resistant patients. Other brain stimulation techniques may have potential for the treatment of bipolar disorder and should be further researched.
Loo
Colleen
C
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. colleen.loo@unsw.edu.au
Katalinic
Natalie
N
Mitchell
Philip B
PB
Greenberg
Benjamin
B
D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D016634:Radiosurgery; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055536:Vagus Nerve Stimulation
D018692:Antimanic Agents