Electroconvulsive Therapy and Movement Disorders. New Perspectives on A Time-Tested Therapy

Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been a very well known therapy in Psychiatry for over 80 years. ECT is considered useful in treating acute mania, severe depression and other psychiatric conditions. Over time, this therapy has also been used in several movement disorders including Parkinson disease (PD) and Huntington disease (HD). In this brief review, I summarize the recent History and evolution of ECT, its proven and potential applications in movement disorders as well as its potential mechanisms.