title: How does electroconvulsive therapy work? Theories on its mechanism.
abstract: This article reviews 3 current theories of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). One theory points to generalized seizures as essential for the therapeutic efficacy of ECT. Another theory highlights the normalization of neuroendocrine dysfunction in melancholic depression as a result of ECT. A third theory is based on recent findings of increased hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in experimental animals given electroconvulsive seizures. Presently, the endocrine theory has the strongest foundation to explain the working mechanism of ECT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital, 9 Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark. bolwig@tdcspace.dk
authors.forename: Tom G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Bolwig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004027:Diencephalon / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone