Seizure threshold determination for electroconvulsive therapy: stimulus dose titration versus age-based estimations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study compared electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) seizure threshold determined by stimulus dose titration with age-based estimations. METHOD: Patients with major depressive disorder had their initial seizure thresholds determined by stimulus dose titration and the results compared with age-based estimations. There are no significant differences in thresholds determined by these methods. RESULTS: Two hundred and three psychiatric patients (149 females, 54 males) had their seizure thresholds determined by stimulus dose titration. There was a significant positive correlation between seizure thresholds and age for males and females with male thresholds greater than female thresholds..