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ECT and cognitive function of psychotic patients
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ECT and cognitive function of psychotic patients
M. Mahnik, Lj. Hotujac and D. Vukelja University Psychiatric Clinic, Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb, KiYpatigeva 12, Zagreb 41000, Croatia Key words: ECT; Cognitive function; Psychiatric patients One of the most frequent objections to electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), by both laymen and medical professionals, is that ECT impairs the cognitive functions of the brain. This paper is a study of the effects of ECT on the cognitive function of patients in whom such therapy was indicated due to the nature of their illness. The study included 11 female patients: six with mood disorder and five with schizophrenic psychosis (diagnostic criteria of DSM-IIIR). Bilateral electroshocks were given three times a week, by means of a Siemens apparatus, type 622, applying an electric current of 600 mA for 2.5 s under anesthesia. Prior to ECT, upon completion of therapy, and 1 month after the end of treatment, test batteries for testing memory, attention, and verbal fluency were applied. The results of the second and third testing, as compared to the first one, showed an improved performance in all the applied tests. Since there was no deterioration of results in any of the tests, it can be concluded that the positive therapeutic effects of ECT outweigh its disadvantages.
Results of 8-year experience in treating female patients with affective disorder
Lj. Hotujac, M. Mahnik and D. Vukelja University Psychiatric Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Ki,s~ati('eva 12, Zagreb 41000, Croatia Key words. Female patients; Affective disorders The paper present the clinical characteristics and application of therapies in female patients treated for mood disorder and schizoaffective disorder from 1 January 1985 to 31 December 1992. In that period, 2390 female patients were treated at the Ward of Biological Psychiatry, 21% of whom had affective disturbances. Distribution according to diagnostic groups (DSMo IIIR) was as follows: bipolar disorder 13.4%; cyclothymia 1.2%; bipolar disorder NOS 1.9%; major depression 52.3%; dysthymia 18%; depressive disorder NOS 4.8%; schizoaffective disorder 8.4%. The average age of the patients was 49.3 years, and the average number of previous treatments 2.5. Hospitalization lasted for about 39 days. Antidepressants were given to 45% of the patients, antipsychotics to 19%, anxiolytics to 30%, lithium to 10%, and ECT to 14%. References
Dubrovsky, S.L. (1990) Generalized anxiety disorder: new concepts and psychopharmacologic therapies. J. Clin. Psychiatry 51 (Suppl.), 3-~10. Fichter, M.M., Witzke, W. and Leibl, K. (1989) Psychotropic drug use in a representative community sample: the Upper Bavarian study. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 80, 68-77. Livingston, B.M., Leaf, P.J. and Rozal G.P. (1994) Psychiatric status and 9-year mortality data in the New Haven Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. Am. J. Psychiatry 151,716-721.
ECT and cognitive function of psychotic patients
M. Mahnik, Lj. Hotujac and D. Vukelja University Psychiatric Clinic, Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb, KiYpatigeva 12, Zagreb 41000, Croatia Key words: ECT; Cognitive function; Psychiatric patients One of the most frequent objections to electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), by both laymen and medical professionals, is that ECT impairs the cognitive functions of the brain. This paper is a study of the effects of ECT on the cognitive function of patients in whom such therapy was indicated due to the nature of their illness. The study included 11 female patients: six with mood disorder and five with schizophrenic psychosis (diagnostic criteria of DSM-IIIR). Bilateral electroshocks were given three times a week, by means of a Siemens apparatus, type 622, applying an electric current of 600 mA for 2.5 s under anesthesia. Prior to ECT, upon completion of therapy, and 1 month after the end of treatment, test batteries for testing memory, attention, and verbal fluency were applied. The results of the second and third testing, as compared to the first one, showed an improved performance in all the applied tests. Since there was no deterioration of results in any of the tests, it can be concluded that the positive therapeutic effects of ECT outweigh its disadvantages.
Results of 8-year experience in treating female patients with affective disorder
Lj. Hotujac, M. Mahnik and D. Vukelja University Psychiatric Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Ki,s~ati('eva 12, Zagreb 41000, Croatia Key words. Female patients; Affective disorders The paper present the clinical characteristics and application of therapies in female patients treated for mood disorder and schizoaffective disorder from 1 January 1985 to 31 December 1992. In that period, 2390 female patients were treated at the Ward of Biological Psychiatry, 21% of whom had affective disturbances. Distribution according to diagnostic groups (DSMo IIIR) was as follows: bipolar disorder 13.4%; cyclothymia 1.2%; bipolar disorder NOS 1.9%; major depression 52.3%; dysthymia 18%; depressive disorder NOS 4.8%; schizoaffective disorder 8.4%. The average age of the patients was 49.3 years, and the average number of previous treatments 2.5. Hospitalization lasted for about 39 days. Antidepressants were given to 45% of the patients, antipsychotics to 19%, anxiolytics to 30%, lithium to 10%, and ECT to 14%. References
Dubrovsky, S.L. (1990) Generalized anxiety disorder: new concepts and psychopharmacologic therapies. J. Clin. Psychiatry 51 (Suppl.), 3-~10. Fichter, M.M., Witzke, W. and Leibl, K. (1989) Psychotropic drug use in a representative community sample: the Upper Bavarian study. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 80, 68-77. Livingston, B.M., Leaf, P.J. and Rozal G.P. (1994) Psychiatric status and 9-year mortality data in the New Haven Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. Am. J. Psychiatry 151,716-721.