title: Maintenance electroconvulsive therapy for a neuroleptic-intolerant patient with disorganized schizophrenia.
abstract: Owing to unresolved questions concerning the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of schizophrenia, and widespread negative attitudes toward ECT, maintenance ECT (mECT) is generally considered only as a last resort. Nevertheless, in some clinical situations, the advantages of mECT may outweigh the risks and associated concerns. We report the case of a patient suffering from disorganized schizophrenia who had life-threatening hematological side effects to treatment with antipsychotic agents. Long-term mECT was administered and the patient achieved remission with no notable side effects. He was able to maintain a peaceful daily routine and improved functioning. Considering the lack of controlled trials in this area, this case and other similar cases reported in the literature add support to a possible benefit of mECT in disorganized schizophrenia, particularly when pharmacotherapy is insufficient or contraindicated.
authors.affiliation: Lev Hasharon Mental Health Center, Netanya, Israel.
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dahan
authors.affiliation: Lev Hasharon Mental Health Center, Netanya, Israel.
authors.forename: Evgenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Or
authors.affiliation: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bleich
authors.affiliation: Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Yuval
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Melamed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D012562:Schizophrenia, Disorganized / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: Drug Resistance; Schizophrenia; cECT; mECT