Posted by OldSchool on February 4, 2002, at 11:11:16
In reply to Bifrontal ECT, posted by bob on February 3, 2002, at 22:32:24
> I posted this in another thread, but thought I would place it here also, as more people may see it.
>
> I've heard that bifrontal ECT is proving to have less detrimental effect on memory, while at the same time inducing similar efficacy rates.
>
> Can anyone corroborate this?From what Ive been reading, bifrontal ECT might be the ideal form of ECT. Bilateral ECT AKA "bitemporal ECT" is the old conventional form of ECT. Its EXTREMELY effective at creating full remission from severe depression, even psychotic depression. However it also has the most cognitive side effects, once in a while it creates an amnesia effect on people. Unilateral ECT is the other major form of ECT currently done. The problem with unilateral though is that it simply doesnt work that great at creating full remission. But it has few cognitive side effects and doesnt cause the once in a while amnesia problems bilateral can cause.
Bifrontal is the best of both worlds (supposedly at least). Bifrontal is as effective as bilateral, but without strong cognitive side effects.
Max Fink, noted authority on ECT in the USA has good things to say about bifrontal. Ive noticed Fink kind of criticizes unilateral though, he doesnt seem to like it much in the stuff Ive read by him. He doesnt seem to think unilateral is all that effective. Particularly for psychotic depression.
Here is an article Fink wrote, it talks about bifrontal ECT:
http://www.mhsource.com/pt/p010621.html
Old School
>
> http://open-mind.org/News/SH/2.htm
poster:OldSchool
thread:92773
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/92821.html