Magnetic seizure therapy for treatment-resistant depression

Kate Elizabeth Hoy, Paul Bernard Fitzgerald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Approximately 30 of people with depression do not respond to standard treatments. Currently, the standard treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT, while effective, has a number of common side effects that limit its use - in particular the occurrence of memory impairment. As such, there has been a considerable degree of research effort directed at developing a treatment for treatment-resistant depression that retains the efficacy of ECT but limits the unwanted cognitive side effects. This research has involved modifications to ECT itself, as well as the development of novel brain stimulation methods. Most recently, magnetic seizure therapy (MST) has been developed and trialed with promising results. This article explores the development of MST, as well as providing a discussion of the clinical and practical issues of the use of MST for the treatment of depression
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)723 - 732
Number of pages10
JournalExpert Review of Medical Devices
Volume8
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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