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Magnetic seizure therapy and other convulsive therapies

Publication ,  Journal Article
Stanford, AD; Husain, MM; Luber, BM; Berman, R; Truesdale, MD; McClintock, S; Lisanby, SH
Published in: Primary Psychiatry
October 1, 2005

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains an important treatment for severely depressed patients, but its use is limited by its cognitive side effects. Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is currently being developed as a means to lower the side effects of ECT through enhanced control over the site of stimulation and seizure initiation. MST involves the induction of a seizure under general anesthesia using high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Recent research suggests that strategies to focus current and seizure initiation in prefrontal cortex may enhance efficacy. Likewise, limiting current and seizure spread in medial temporal lobes might be expected to reduce side effects. However, the application of an electrical stimulus across the scalp and skull results in significant shunting and offers little control over current spread. Since magnetic fields pass through tissue without impedance, MST offers the promise of more precise control over induced electrical current and seizure initiation. This article reviews the current status of MST, from device development, to preclinical testing, to clinical trials. Preliminary results indicate that seizures induced with MST have a better acute side-effect profile than those induced with ECT. Other approaches to optimize ECT and achieve focal seizure induction are presented and discussed.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Primary Psychiatry

ISSN

1082-6319

Publication Date

October 1, 2005

Volume

12

Issue

10

Start / End Page

44 / 50

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Stanford, A. D., Husain, M. M., Luber, B. M., Berman, R., Truesdale, M. D., McClintock, S., & Lisanby, S. H. (2005). Magnetic seizure therapy and other convulsive therapies. Primary Psychiatry, 12(10), 44–50.
Stanford, A. D., M. M. Husain, B. M. Luber, R. Berman, M. D. Truesdale, S. McClintock, and S. H. Lisanby. “Magnetic seizure therapy and other convulsive therapies.” Primary Psychiatry 12, no. 10 (October 1, 2005): 44–50.
Stanford AD, Husain MM, Luber BM, Berman R, Truesdale MD, McClintock S, et al. Magnetic seizure therapy and other convulsive therapies. Primary Psychiatry. 2005 Oct 1;12(10):44–50.
Stanford, A. D., et al. “Magnetic seizure therapy and other convulsive therapies.” Primary Psychiatry, vol. 12, no. 10, Oct. 2005, pp. 44–50.
Stanford AD, Husain MM, Luber BM, Berman R, Truesdale MD, McClintock S, Lisanby SH. Magnetic seizure therapy and other convulsive therapies. Primary Psychiatry. 2005 Oct 1;12(10):44–50.

Published In

Primary Psychiatry

ISSN

1082-6319

Publication Date

October 1, 2005

Volume

12

Issue

10

Start / End Page

44 / 50

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences