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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ed_uk on December 13, 2004, at 11:46:59
Following on from the thread which I started about ECT and ICT, I wanted to mention Metrazol Convulsive Therapy- a somatic treatment for depression which was used in the 1930s.....
'..a chemical (Metrazol), rather than the hormone insulin, was used to produce convulsions. Like insulin, Metrazol was given by intravenous injection. Before the patient started to convulse, he or she experienced a horrible period of panic and impending doom, lasting up to a minute.'
Metrazol Convulsive therapy has been completely replaced by ECT in most countries. It might still be used in certain 'remote' parts of the world, I'm not sure.
Ed.
Posted by vwoolf on December 13, 2004, at 12:57:15
In reply to Metrazol Convulsive Therapy, posted by ed_uk on December 13, 2004, at 11:46:59
Ed, why do you think convulsions were/are considered therapeutic? This premise seems to be the basis of so much of the thinking around mental illness over the last 80 years. The idea has still not gone away completely in fact - see the frequent use of ECT. As far as I know, it is generally agreed that convulsions can and do cause brain damage and should be avoided where possible.
Posted by linkadge on December 13, 2004, at 14:56:01
In reply to Re: Metrazol Convulsive Therapy, posted by vwoolf on December 13, 2004, at 12:57:15
Seizure, convulsions, kindling, etc all seem to increase the expression of BDNF, a growth factor whoose antidepressant properties are documented.
Most of our AD medication also lowers the sezure threshold.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on December 14, 2004, at 5:58:02
In reply to Re: Metrazol Convulsive Therapy, posted by linkadge on December 13, 2004, at 14:56:01
Hi Vwoolf,
Someone once came up with the idea that schizophrenia and epilepsy never occur together (this is now known to be completely untrue!) As a result, it was thought that inducing seizures in people with schizophrenia would eliminate their psychosis. After Metrazol was used in schizophrenia, psychiatrists started trying it in people with other mental health problems.
Regards,
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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