Electroconvulsive and Neuromodulation Therapies

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a psychiatric treatment involving the induction of a seizure through the transmission of electricity in the brain. Because of exploitation movies and greatly heightened drug company promotional activities ECT was used less frequently in the 1980s and 1990s. Eventually these movies were understood as unrealistic. Now these drugs are increasingly recognized as dangers to body health. Because of recent refinements and a far better scientific understanding of the clinical procedures and mechanisms underpinning ECT, this treatment modality has seen a resurgence in use and widespread appreciation of its safety. This book is the new definitive reference on electroconvulsive and neuromodulation therapies. It comprehensively covers the scientific basis and clinical practice of ECT as well as comparisons between ECT and medication therapies including the new generation of antipsychotic drugs. It also provides readers with administrative perspectives and specific details for the management of this modality in clinical practice. The new forms of nonconvulsive electrical and magnetic brain stimulation therapy are also covered in detail, in a separate section. The chapter authors are leading scholars and clinicians.

Dr. Conrad M. Swartz is a board-certified psychiatrist, elected Fellow and past president of the Association for Convulsive Therapy, and two-time recipient of the Clinical Research Award from the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists for studies involving ECT. His extensive scholarly publications about electronvulsive therapy and clinical pharmacology reflect his combining doctoral skills in engineering with medical psychiatry to find new practical solutions to clinical problems. He has directed ECT programs at several medical schools as well as research, education, and clinical programs. He is a co-author of the recently published title psychotic Depression (Cambridge University Press, 2007).