ELECTROCONVULSIVE

THERAPY (ECT) IN BIPOLAR

DISORDER
Allyson Hamilton, Hannah Blue, Avery Chadd

Samuel Bailine

The Bailine Study et al. Study

Tested:
relative efficacies of
different modes of
electrode placement in
ECT
differences in efficacy in
Bipolar versus Unipolar
Depression.

Pink

Solutions
Yellow

Note: Please keep on your electrodes

Green

What is ECT?

Small electric currents are passed through

the brain
intentionally triggering a brief seizure.
Seems to cause changes in brain
chemistry that can quickly reverse
symptoms of Bipolar or Unipolar
Depression.

Stigma Surrounding ECT

Much of the stigma attached to ECT

is based on early treatments
Used high doses of electricity
without anesthesia, leading to
memory loss, fractured bones, and
other serious side effects.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/basics/definition/prc-2001416

ECT THEN

ECT NOW

Key Findings of the Bailine Experiment

The bitemporal mode of application was the most

effective.
ECT and medication yielded equivalent rates of
sustained 6-month remission of approximately 60%
What about long term remission (> 6-months)?

Gian Paolo Minnai

The Minnai Descriptive Study

Followed subjects 5 years

before & 5 years after ECT
Subjects had an average
of 8.4 ECT treatments,
given twice per week,
until the subject
recovered from the mood
episode

Mood Stabilizers

Mood Stabilizers help

control:
Rapid switching
from mania to
depression among
patients with Bipolar.

 Help control - sadness, lack

of energy, difficulty
sleeping, lack of appetite,
and suicidal thoughts.
Normally used with mood
stabilizers because when
used alone they can
potentially worsen manic
symptoms.

Antidepressants

Demonstration #2

If you have bitemporal electrode placement

(pink stickers), please stand up.

Demonstration #2

If 2 of you could please sit

down, approximately 87%
of you are standing.

87% of you would

experience longer
intervals without bipolar
episodes for
approximately 2 years
after treatment.

Demonstration #2

Everyone who was originally standing,

please stand back up.
If 3 of you would sit down,
approximately 81% of the group is
standing
As a group, you will experience 81%
fewer bipolar episodes over a span of
5 years following treatment.

Demonstration #2

Everyone please stand back up.

If two of you would please sit down.
Approximately 90% of the group is
standing.
If you are still standing, you would
experience fewer hospital or mental
health facility admissions following
treatment.

Please sit down

and remove
your electrodes

Our Main Conclusion from doing this Research

There are far too few experimental studies,

however, there were many descriptive
studies.
Why do you think this is, specifically for
ECT?