SYNERGISM OF LORAZEPAM AND ELECTROCONVULSIVE-THERAPY IN THE TREATMENTOF CATATONIA

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and lorazepam are effective treatments for catatonia. ECT combined with benzodiazepines has been associated with reduced efficacy and efficiency and therefore is not recommended in the routine practice of ECT. We report 5 prospectively identified c ases of catatonia treated either sequentially or concurrently with lor azepam and ECT. In each case, the combination of lorazepam with ECT wa s superior to monotherapy. This apparent synergism, Its possible mecha nisms, and its implications for treating catatonia are discussed. (C) 1997 Society of Biological Psychiatry.