Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Autism

Sa Eun Park; Marco Grados; Lee Wachtel; Sanjay Kaji

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2020.11.003

Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Autism

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2021 Mar;44(1):23-33. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2020.11.003.

Authors

Sa Eun Park¹, Marco Grados², Lee Wachtel³, Sanjay Kaji⁴

Affiliations

¹ Kennedy Krieger Institute, 1741 Ashland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: Spark172@jhmi.edu.
² Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
³ Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 707 North Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD 21209, USA.
⁴ Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

PMID: 33526235
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2020.11.003

Abstract

The mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is not fully elucidated, with prevailing theories ranging from neuroendocrinological to neuroplasticity effects of ECT or epileptiform brain plasticity. Youth with autism can present with catatonia. ECT is a treatment that can safely and rapidly resolve catatonia in autism and should be considered promptly. The literature available for ECT use in youth with autism is consistently growing. Under-recognition of the catatonic syndrome and delayed diagnosis and implementation of the anticatatonic treatment paradigms, including ECT, as well as stigma and lack of knowledge of ECT remain clinical stumbling blocks.

Keywords: Autism; Catatonia; Electroconvulsive therapy; Neuroplasticity.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Autistic Disorder* / therapy
Catatonia* / therapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy*
Humans