Neurorestorative Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Patients With Severe Late Life Depression

ECT was administered twice a week with a constant-current brief-pulse device (Thymatron, System IV). Motor and electroencephalographic seizures were monitored to ensure adequate duration and quality. Subjects were all treated with right unilateral (RUL) ECT with stimulus intensity 6 times the initial seizure threshold (ST), as determined by empirical dose titration at the first treatment, until remission (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (27) \< 10 in two consecutive ratings with a week interval). Subjects who failed to respond right unilateral ECT after the sixth treatment were switched to bitemporal ECT (1.5x seizure threshold).

Anesthesia was achieved with intravenous administration of etomidate (0.2mg/kg).

Anesthesia was achieved with intravenous administration of succinylcholine (1mg/kg).