Thyroid Augmentation and Genetics in ECT: Pilot Study From the Mayo Clinic

 From investigators at the Mayo Clinic is this paper:



The abstract is copied below:

The pdf is here.


This is a fascinating paper about thyroid augmentation of ECT and genetic variation influencing thyroid function. The study is small, the data are old (from 2008-2011) and the limitations many; nonetheless the paper rekindles the interest in T3 as an accelerator and augmenter of ECT. I have long believed that the older thyroid data from Robert Stern and colleagues were very encouraging, and that it was unfortunate that they were never adequately followed up.

At the very least, this paper teaches us about thyroid metabolism and the enzymes thyroid deiodinase types I and II.
I highly recommend a full read of this paper for anyone interested in the thyroid axis and depression and/or pharmacological augmentation strategies in ECT, ~ 20 minutes.

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