Electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of depression in a former ecstasy user

J Psychopharmacol. 2006 Nov;20(6):860-2. doi: 10.1177/0269881106067243. Epub 2006 Aug 4.

Abstract

Depression in former ecstasy users may not respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) possibly due to damaged serotonergic synapses following long-term heavy ecstasy use. We report findings in a patient suffering from MDMA-induced depression which was refractory to several antidepressive medications including selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and SSRI. An add-on repeated bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was able to achieve a stable remission of affective and cognitive symptoms with a follow-up of more than 1.5 years. Add-on ECT could be a treatment option in former ecstasy users with severe depressive disorders that fail to respond to SSRI and/or SNRI. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate further the usefulness of ECT in this patient group.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / etiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy*
  • Hallucinogens*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*

Substances

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
  • Hallucinogens
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine