Subconvulsive Electrical Stimulation in Mania: Case Series From Portugal

Out on PubMed, from investigators in Portugal and the USA, is this LTE:



Single session subconvulsive electrical stimulation has rapid therapeutic effects and reduces length of hospitalization in patients in an acute manic episode.

Silva-Dos-Santos A, Youssef NA, Bravo J, Sales M, Velho MV, Simões F, Gaspar B, Gracias MJ, Lopes J, Duarte R, Lara E, Gusmão R, Sackeim HA.Brain Stimul. 2023 Sep 27;16(5):1452-1454. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.09.014. Online ahead of print.

PMID: 37769989 No abstract available.
The letter is here.

And here:



Oh boy, here we go again! Is the seizure necessary in ECT? Can we have it both ways, that an RUL seizure at relatively low dose is "completely ineffective"  (in depression), but subconvulsive stimuli are potently anti-manic?

Let's express interest in this phenomenon, without losing sight of the methodological limitations of this case series, and the possibility (not mentioned) that the anesthesia may have contributed.


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