Lowering the seizure threshold in electroconvulsive therapy using transcranial magnetic stimulation: A case report

J Albrecht; J Buday; T Mareš; L Kališová; J Raboch; M Anders

doi:10.1016/j.brs.2019.01.012

Lowering the seizure threshold in electroconvulsive therapy using transcranial magnetic stimulation: A case report

Brain Stimul. 2019 May-Jun;12(3):781-784. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.01.012. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Authors

J Albrecht¹, J Buday², T Mareš², L Kališová², J Raboch², M Anders²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czechia. Electronic address: jakub.albrecht@vfn.cz.
² Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czechia.

PMID: 30738776
DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.01.012

Abstract

We demonstrate the feasibility of lowering the seizure threshold using a combined approach of electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation. High-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation of the supplementary motor area shortly before each electroconvulsive treatment session resulted in a reduction of the seizure threshold by half in a male patient with a severe psychotic depressive episode of bipolar affective disorder.

Keywords: Adverse effect; Lowering seizure threshold; RUL ECT; TMS pre-stimulation; Ultra-brief pulse.

Publication types

Case Reports
Letter
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Bipolar Disorder / complications
Bipolar Disorder / therapy*
Electroconvulsive Therapy / methods*
Humans
Male
Seizures / physiopathology*
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*