Skip to main content
Journal cover image

ECT and seizure threshold: effects of stimulus wave form and electrode placement.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Weiner, RD
Published in: Biol Psychiatry
April 1980

The effects of stimulus parameters and electrode placement upon ECT seizure threshold were investigated in 40 psychiatric inpatients referred for ECT treatment, using EEG monitoring of seizure activity. Overall, brief pulse stimuli were found to require approximately one-third as much stimulus energy as sine wave stimuli in producing equivalent suprathreshold seizures. For brief pulse stimuli, unilateral nondominant electrode placement, utilizing a parieto-frontotemporal arrangement, was associated with a slightly lower seizure threshold than for bilateral electrode placement. For sine wave stimuli, on the other hand, no difference in seizure threshold on the basis of electrode placement was found, although unilateral electrode placement as associated with briefer seizures. The implications of these findings in terms of clinical efficacy and CNS side effects are discussed.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Biol Psychiatry

ISSN

0006-3223

Publication Date

April 1980

Volume

15

Issue

2

Start / End Page

225 / 241

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Electrodes
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Dominance, Cerebral
  • Differential Threshold
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Weiner, R. D. (1980). ECT and seizure threshold: effects of stimulus wave form and electrode placement. Biol Psychiatry, 15(2), 225–241.
Weiner, R. D. “ECT and seizure threshold: effects of stimulus wave form and electrode placement.Biol Psychiatry 15, no. 2 (April 1980): 225–41.
Weiner, R. D. “ECT and seizure threshold: effects of stimulus wave form and electrode placement.Biol Psychiatry, vol. 15, no. 2, Apr. 1980, pp. 225–41.
Weiner RD. ECT and seizure threshold: effects of stimulus wave form and electrode placement. Biol Psychiatry. 1980 Apr;15(2):225–241.
Journal cover image

Published In

Biol Psychiatry

ISSN

0006-3223

Publication Date

April 1980

Volume

15

Issue

2

Start / End Page

225 / 241

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Electrodes
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Dominance, Cerebral
  • Differential Threshold