Magnetic seizure therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
Approximately 30% of people with depression do not respond to standard treatments. Currently, the standard treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT, while effective, has a number of common side effects that limit its use - in particular the occurrence of memory impairment. As such, there has been a considerable degree of research effort directed at developing a treatment for treatment-resistant depression that retains the efficacy of ECT but limits the unwanted cognitive side effects. This research has involved modifications to ECT itself, as well as the development of novel brain stimulation methods. Most recently, magnetic seizure therapy (MST) has been developed and trialed with promising results. This article explores the development of MST, as well as providing a discussion of the clinical and practical issues of the use of MST for the treatment of depression.
Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Center, The Alfred and Monash University School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Victoria, Australia. kate.hoy@monash.edu
Kate E
KE
Hoy
Paul B
PB
Fitzgerald
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D061218:Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000379:methods*; D011323:Primates; D012640:Seizures / Q000628:therapy*