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Biomedical subjects

Hilary J. Bernstein

Publications and source records attributed to Hilary J. Bernstein.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Combined ECT and Antidepressant Drug Therapy.

The current literature on the interaction between antidepressant drugs and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is reviewed. Tricyclic antidepressants, atypical antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are discussed. The efficacy of combinations and possible adverse effects (mainly cardiovascular and seizure threshold effects) are considered. Many previous studies on the efficacy of combinations used inadequate methods, and the safety data consist largely of anecdotes and small case series. Additional studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of the combined use of antidepressants and ECT.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Weekly ECT in Geriatric Depression.

Fifteen elderly depressed psychiatric inpatients were randomly assigned to receive either standard three-times-weekly electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or once-weekly ECT. Outcome measures included cognitive assessment and antidepressant response. Although both groups improved with treatment, the three-times-weekly group improved substantially more quickly. There was no difference in cognitive effect between the two groups. We conclude that the traditional three-times-weekly schedule of ECT may optimally balance speed of antidepressant response and cognitive impairment.

Journal Article↗