Classics in ECT: ECT and Thyroid hormone


Combined Use of Thyroid Hormone and ECT.

Stern RA, Steketee MC, Durr AL, Prange AJ, Golden RN.Convuls Ther. 1993;9(4):285-292.The pdf is here.PMID: 11941224
This classic paper in Convulsive Therapy reviews animal thyroid studies as well as Stern's patient study published in 1991 in Biological Psychiatry. It contains a fine review of ECT's effects on the HPT axis.
In my opinion, there was a real signal here, both for enhanced antidepressant efficacy and cognitive sparing. Why it was never adequately followed up and replicated is a mystery, and a lost opportunity.
I believe there will be another review of pharmacologic enhancement of ECT in the near future.

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