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Seizure Threshold In Electroconvulsive Therapy: I. Initial Seizure Threshold, C. Edward Coffey, Joseph Lucke, Richard D. Weiner, Andrew D. Krystal, Michael Aque
Seizure Threshold In Electroconvulsive Therapy: I. Initial Seizure Threshold, C. Edward Coffey, Joseph Lucke, Richard D. Weiner, Andrew D. Krystal, Michael Aque
Joseph Lucke
We measured initial seizure threshold by means of a structured stimulus dosage titration procedure in a clinical sample of 111 depressed patients undergoing brief-pulse, constantcurrent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Initial seizure threshold was approximately 60 millicoumbs (mc) (10 Joules) on average, but varied widely (6-fold) across patients. Initial seizure threshold was predicted by four variables: electrode placement (higher with bilateral), gender (higher in men), age (higher with increasing age), and dynamic impedance (inverse relationship). Use of neuroleptic medication was associated with a lower seizure threshold. EEG seizure duration was inversely related to initial seizure threshold, but no other relations with seizure …
Seizure Threshold In Electroconvulsive Therapy (Ect): Ii. The Anticonvulsant Effect Of Ect, C. Edward Coffey, Joseph Lucke, Richard D. Weiner, Andrew D. Krystal, Michael Aque
Seizure Threshold In Electroconvulsive Therapy (Ect): Ii. The Anticonvulsant Effect Of Ect, C. Edward Coffey, Joseph Lucke, Richard D. Weiner, Andrew D. Krystal, Michael Aque
Joseph Lucke
To measure the anticonvulsant effects of a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), we used a flexible stimulus dosage titration procedure to estimate seizure threshold at the first and sixth ECT treatments in 62 patients with depression who were undergoing a course of brief pulse, constant current ECT given at moderately suprathreshold stimulus intensity. Seizure threshold increased by approximately 47% on average, but only 35 (56%) of the 62 patients showed a rise in seizure threshold. The rise in seizure threshold was associated with increasing age, but not with gender, stimulus electrode placement, or initial seizure threshold. Dynamic impedance decreased by …