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EFFECTS OF ECT ON BRAIN STRUCTURE - A PILOT PROSPECTIVE MAGNETIC-RESONANCE IMAGING STUDY AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Coffey, C. E., Figiel, G. S., DJANG, W. T., SULLIVAN, D. C., Herfkens, R. J., Weiner, R. D. 1988; 145 (6): 701-706

Abstract

The authors describe a pilot prospective investigation of the effects of ECT on brain structure using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In nine patients with major depression, a course of ECT produced no acute changes in brain structure according to blind raters' assessments of cortical atrophy and global comparison of pre- and post-ECT studies. There were also no significant changes in the ventricle-brain ratios. Pre-ECT brain abnormalities were common in these patients yet were also unaffected by ECT. Future MRI studies of ECT should include more subjects and should address long-term changes and subtle brain abnormalities.

View details for Web of Science ID A1988N596200007

View details for PubMedID 3369556