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Seizure threshold in electroconvulsive therapy: I. Initial seizure threshold.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Coffey, CE; Lucke, J; Weiner, RD; Krystal, AD; Aque, M
Published in: Biol Psychiatry
May 15, 1995

We measured initial seizure threshold by means of a structured stimulus dosage titration procedure in a clinical sample of 111 depressed patients undergoing brief-pulse, constant-current electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Initial seizure threshold was approximately 60 millicoumbs (mc) (10 Joules) on average, but varied widely (6-fold) across patients. Initial seizure threshold was predicted by four variables: electrode placement (higher with bilateral), gender (higher in men), age (higher with increasing age), and dynamic impedance (inverse relationship). Use of neuroleptic medication was associated with a lower seizure threshold. EEG seizure duration was inversely related to initial seizure threshold, but no other relations with seizure duration were found. These findings may have important clinical implications for stimulus dosing strategies in ECT.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Biol Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0006-3223

Publication Date

May 15, 1995

Volume

37

Issue

10

Start / End Page

713 / 720

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sensory Thresholds
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Premedication
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Evoked Potentials
 

Citation

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Coffey, C. E., Lucke, J., Weiner, R. D., Krystal, A. D., & Aque, M. (1995). Seizure threshold in electroconvulsive therapy: I. Initial seizure threshold. Biol Psychiatry, 37(10), 713–720. https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(95)00262-F
Coffey, C. E., J. Lucke, R. D. Weiner, A. D. Krystal, and M. Aque. “Seizure threshold in electroconvulsive therapy: I. Initial seizure threshold.Biol Psychiatry 37, no. 10 (May 15, 1995): 713–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(95)00262-F.
Coffey CE, Lucke J, Weiner RD, Krystal AD, Aque M. Seizure threshold in electroconvulsive therapy: I. Initial seizure threshold. Biol Psychiatry. 1995 May 15;37(10):713–20.
Coffey, C. E., et al. “Seizure threshold in electroconvulsive therapy: I. Initial seizure threshold.Biol Psychiatry, vol. 37, no. 10, May 1995, pp. 713–20. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/0006-3223(95)00262-F.
Coffey CE, Lucke J, Weiner RD, Krystal AD, Aque M. Seizure threshold in electroconvulsive therapy: I. Initial seizure threshold. Biol Psychiatry. 1995 May 15;37(10):713–720.
Journal cover image

Published In

Biol Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0006-3223

Publication Date

May 15, 1995

Volume

37

Issue

10

Start / End Page

713 / 720

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sensory Thresholds
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Premedication
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Evoked Potentials