Study of the influence of electroconvulsive therapy or cerebral blood flowby HMPAO-SPECT

Study objective: The aim of this preliminary study is to investigate the re gional blood Row in response to ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) and to iden tify any responsive-pattern to the treatment. Methods: Study design: Single longitudinal prospective study of cohorts. Subjects: Fur this preliminary study ten patients, female sex, mean age 70.8 years with major mood disorde r (CID-10 investigation criteria) were studied after signature consent. Int erventions: The intervention consisted in the administration of bilateral b rief pulse ECT three times a week, during 6 to 12 sessions according to the standards of the Psychiatric Department of the Santiago Hospital in Victor ia. Measurement: Clinical evaluation of depression was evaluated by Hamilto n Depression Scale, Montgomery and Asberg Scale. Newcastle Seals and region al cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using the HMPAO-SPECT. Results: The pattern o f distribution on the regional cerebral flow during the ECT showed changes from the basal pattern in all patients. All patients had a relative increas ed perfusion of the temporal lobes and basal ganglia. Other changes from th e basal study were areas of decreased perfusion of the occipital lobe (6 pa tients) and parietal lobe (3 patients). Conclusions: Brain perfusion SPECT study of the patients with major depression shows changes during ECT. Furth er analysis are needed to understand the relationship between mechanisms of treatment and recovery in affective illness. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.