Unilateral ultra-brief pulse electroconvulsive therapy for depression in Parkinson's disease

• DOI: 10.1111/ane.12614
• Publication Date: 2016-05-31T08:32:45Z
• Authors: N. R. Williams; B. S. Bentzley; G. L. Sahlem; J. Pannu; J. E. Korte; G. Revuelta; E. B. Short; M. S. George
• Keywords: Male; Depression; Parkinson Disease; Pilot Projects; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female; Electroconvulsive Therapy; Aged

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has demonstrated efficacy in treating core symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD); however, widespread use of ECT in PD has been limited due to concern over cognitive burden. We investigated the use of a newer ECT technology known to have fewer cognitive side effects (right unilateral [RUL] ultra-brief pulse [UBP]) for the treatment of medically refractory psychiatric dysfunction in PD.This open-label pilot study included 6 patients who were assessed in the motoric, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric domains prior to and after RUL UBP ECT. Primary endpoints were changes in total score on the HAM-D-17 and GDS-30 rating scales.Patients were found to improve in motoric and psychiatric domains following RUL UBP ECT without cognitive side effects, both immediately following ECT and at 1-month follow-up.This study demonstrates that RUL UBP ECT is safe, feasible, and potentially efficacious in treating multiple domains of PD, including motor and mood, without clear cognitive side effects.