Key result
Electroconvulsive therapy caused a redistribution of regional cerebral blood flow, with increased uptake in the frontal brain and basal ganglia compared to posterior parts and the thalamus.
Why the study?
Does electroconvulsive therapy alter regional cerebral blood flow in patients with major depressive or schizoaffective disorders?
Observational (n=11)
Does electroconvulsive therapy alter regional cerebral blood flow in patients with major depressive or schizoaffective disorders?
ECT acutely redistributes regional cerebral blood flow, increasing perfusion in frontal regions and basal ganglia relative to posterior cortex and thalamus.
Hypothesis-generating for ECT perfusion effects in mood disorders; controlled studies needed before clinical or mechanistic inferences.
Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in relative terms with Tc99m-hexamethylpropyleneamineoxim and single photon emission computed tomography in 11 patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The patients suffered from major depressive disorder (n = 8) or schizoaffective disorders (n = 3). rCBF was measured under general anesthesia 3 days prior to the ECT treatment and coinciding with the ECT stimulation. ECT caused a redistribution of the tracers uptake. The uptake became more pronounced in frontal parts of the brain and in the basal ganglia than in posterior parts of the cortex, and the thalamus. This selective effect of ECT on rCBF may be related to catecholaminergic projections to anterior parts of the brain.
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Bajc et al. (1989) conducted an observational in Major depressive disorder or schizoaffective disorders (n=11). Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) vs. Baseline (3 days prior to ECT) was evaluated on Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Electroconvulsive therapy caused a redistribution of regional cerebral blood flow, with increased uptake in the frontal brain and basal ganglia compared to posterior parts and the thalamus.
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