electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Flashcards
how often is this Tx given?
6-8 treatments are given a 2-day interval over a period of 2-4 weeks
each year, how many people in the world receive ECT?
1 million
how does ECT work?
an electrical current is passed through the brain to produce a generalized seizure which lasts 25-150 seconds
when does up regulation occur?
when there is a deficiency in the messenger - so in this case there is less serotonin, so the number of active receptors for serotonin increases
what are the first messengers in depression?
neurotransmitters
where was ECT introduced?
in italy in 1938 - one of the oldest treatment available - remains safely used today
what is ECT?
a procedure that produces an up regulation of serotonin and electrically stimulates a generalized seizure and has 70-90% effective tx rate for depression
the exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of ECT remains unclear. T or F
true
how does this therapy work similar to antidepressants?
promotes increased connectivity at the synapse and nerve cell growth
what kind of anaesthetic is given for this therapy?
general, with complete muscle relaxation bc the motor component of the seizure does not contribute to the therapeutic effects of the Tx
- pt does not feel the stimulus or recall the procedure
after symptoms have improved from this procedure, what is the next step?
antidepressant drugs to prevent relapse
why is ECT only indicated for pt whose depression is resistant to conventional treatments?
bc of its invasive nature
what is the second messenger involved in?
converting the chemical signal into a physiological one that moves the nerve impulse across the nerve cell and onto the next nerve cell
when does down regulation occur?
there are excess chemical messengers and the number of active receptors decreases
what is ECT known to down regulate?
beta adrenergic receptors in much the same way as antidepressants therefore, lowering stress response
