Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in treatment of major depressive disorder

Abstract

Major depressive disorder is a serious and common neuropsychiatric disorder that affects more than 350 million people worldwide. Electroconvulsive therapy is the oldest and most effective treatment available for the treatment of severe major depressive disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy modifies structural network changes in patients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. And it can also affect neuroinflammatory responses and may have neuroprotective effects. Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Keywords: Depression; Electroconvulsive therapy; Major depressive disorder; Somatic cell therapy

Core Tip: Electroconvulsive therapy has been shown to be very useful for the acute treatment of major depressive, manic, and mixed states, especially those with a high degree of suicide, as well as catatonic and drug-resistant depression. It should not be seen as a second line of defense after drug therapy.