Safety and efficacy of ECT in patients with head injury: A case series

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment for certa in psychiatric disorders. Eleven patients who had sustained a closed head i njury were treated with ECT for their psychiatric symptoms. Eight patients responded to an index course of ECT: 2 were partial responders and became r esponders during continuation ECT (cECT); 1 patient was 17 nonresponder. Po st-ECT Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination and Mini-Mental State E xamination scores showed no significant decline (P>0.70 and P>0.89, respect ively) from baseline. Eight patients received cECT, without any lasting cog nitive side effects. These findings indicate that ECT can be used effective ly in patients with a history of closed head injury without adverse effects on cognitive functioning.