Seizure Threshold in ECT : I. Initial Seizure Threshold
WORRAWAT CHANPATTANA,M.D.*,
WANCHAI KITAROONCHAI, M.D.**,
PISARN TECHAKASEM, M.D.***,
M.L. SOMCHAI CHAKRABHAND, M.D.**,
SOMRAK CHOOV ANICHVONG, M.D.**,
WIWAT YATAPOOTANON, M.D.**
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10300,
** Srithunya Hospital, Nonthaburi 11000,
*** Psychiatry Unit, Vajira Hospital, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.
t Supported by The Thailand Research Fund, Grant BRG 3980009
AbstractSeizure threshold detennination is of crucial importance in optimizing eJectrical stimulus
dosage during administering electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). We measured initial seizure
~threshold by means of Srinakharinwirot University-~iltratwn schedule in 150 psychotic patients.
Initial seizure threshold was approximately 104 millicoulombs on average, but varied widely
(12-fold) across patients. Motor seizure duration was inversely related to initial seizure threshold.
Seizure threshold could be strongly predicted by age. The results may have important clinical
implications for stimulus dosing strategy in ECT.
Keywords : Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Initial Seizure Threshold, Age, Srinakharinwirot
University (SWU) Titration Schedule
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