Possible Synergy Between Electroconvulsive Therapy and Imipramine: A Case Report.
This report describes a 63-year-old woman, who had experienced 3 previous episodes of severe major depressive disorder. The first 2 episodes responded to treatment with antidepressants, whereas the third episode was accompanied by psychotic features and responded well to treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). After a severe relapse, the patient responded very slowly to a second course of ECT and failed to achieve full remission. Within a few weeks, she had another severe relapse and responded very rapidly to a combination of ECT and imipramine. The possible enhancement of the antidepressant efficacy of ECT by combining it with a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) has received little study, although the literature provides some evidence for a synergy between ECT and TCAs. Combining ECT with a TCA may be a useful strategy in patients who fail to achieve full remission or who experience a rapid relapse.
BIRKENHÄGER and PLUIJMS: Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Tom K
TK
Birkenhäger
Esther M
EM
Pluijms
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D007099:Imipramine