Electroconvulsive Therapy in Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To report on observations of 6 adolescents treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and to compare the data with literature data. Method: We conducted a retrospective study of our division charts of adolescents treated with ECT and hospitalized in the last 20 years. We also undertook a computer search in several databases (including Medline) to identify the reported observations on this treatment. Results: We studied the charts of 6 adolescents aged 14 to 16 years. There were 3 cases of major depressive disorder (including 1 case of delusion of negation), 2 cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and 1 case of schizoaffective disorder with catatonic characteristics. Four adolescents received ECT as a first-line treatment. They were given an average of 9 ECT, which was judged to be efficacious. Tolerance was adequate, and in this series, ECT does not seem to have caused alterations to long-term cognitive functions. No relapse was noted after a minimum of one-year follow-up. Conclusions: For some severe psychiatric disorders in adolescents, ECT could be a treatment with a good efficacy and tolerance profile.