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Chapter 2 - Mechanism of Action of ECT

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2019

By
Philip J Cowen
Edited by
I. Nicol Ferrier  and
Jonathan Waite
I. Nicol Ferrier
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Jonathan Waite
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham
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Summary

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) possesses several key therapeutic actions, having antidepressant, anti-manic and antipsychotic effects. The adverse effects of ECT, particularly loss of autobiographical memories, are also of great clinical importance. Whether the same ‘mechanism’ underpins all these properties is unknown. Most information about the mechanistic effects of ECT has been obtained in relation to the treatment of depression and the current review will focus on this area.

Type
Chapter
Information
The ECT Handbook , pp. 13 - 23
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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