Are we familiar with the mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy?

Abstract

Electro convulsive therapy is a proven, safe, effective, and in many cases irreplaceable, treatment for a wide range of neu-ropsychiatric illnesses over time, but the mechanism of action remains unexplained. A large number of papers have been published that describe partial changes after convulsions in various diagnoses, more than a hundred hypotheses.

This article attempts to map current knowledge and outline further developments.

Keywords

• ECT
• electroconvulsive therapy
• indications
• mechanism of action
• neuroneogenesis
• neuroplasticity
• inflamation
• catatonia
• depression
• mania
• stupor