Article
Clinical Neurology
Yumeng Xin, Tongjian Bai, Ting Zhang, Yang Chen, Kai Wang, Shan Yu, Ning Liu, Yanghua Tian
Summary: The study found that compared to healthy controls, MDD patients have certain changes in criticality, but patients who respond positively to ECT often correct these anomalies. Importantly, ECT can modulate the large-scale brain dynamics of MDD patients to be closer to criticality.
Article
Psychiatry
Jesminne Castricum, Tom K. Birkenhager, Steven A. Kushner, Ype Elgersma, Joke H. M. Tulen
Summary: This study investigated inhibitory neurotransmission and cortical plasticity in MDD patients and controls using TMS technology, finding deficits in cortical plasticity in MDD patients. However, no significant differences in cortical inhibition were observed in depressed patients, suggesting that reduced cortical inhibition may not be a robust correlate of the pathophysiological mechanism in MDD.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Gong-Jun Ji, Jiao Li, Wei Liao, Yingru Wang, Lei Zhang, Tongjian Bai, Ting Zhang, Wen Xie, Kongliang He, Chuyan Zhu, Juergen Dukart, Chris Baeken, Yanghua Tian, Kai Wang
Summary: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and induces changes in brain structure and function. A study found that the cortical thickness changes following ECT were associated with neuroplasticity-related genes and dopamine receptor density.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Mei-Lin Ma, Lian-Ping He
Summary: Major depressive disorder is a common and serious neuropsychiatric disorder, affecting over 350 million people worldwide. Electroconvulsive therapy, the oldest and most effective treatment, can modify structural network changes and affect neuroinflammatory responses in patients with major depressive disorder.
WORLD JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CASES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Liang Su, Yi Zhang, Yuping Jia, Junfeng Sun, David Mellor, Ti-Fei Yuan, Yifeng Xu
Summary: This study investigated the response trajectories of MDD patients undergoing ECT treatment and identified potential clinical and demographic predictors for clinical improvement. The results revealed three groups of patients: non-remit, slow-response, and rapid-response. Significant differences in various factors such as age, education years, and baseline depression severity were observed across these groups. These clinical predictors can help guide treatment selection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zhida Bian, Hui Li, Yanlong Liu, Yanjun Cao, Yanxia Kang, Yongjun Yu, Feng Zhang, Cunbao Li, Yimin Kang, Fan Wang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the potential of improving depressive symptoms by regulating HIF-2 alpha levels to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation. The results demonstrated that long-term ECT therapy for MDD may further benefit from and contribute to the improvement of MDD-associated chronic hypoxia.
NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISEASE AND TREATMENT
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Hossein Dini, Mohammad S. E. Sendi, Jing Sui, Zening Fu, Randall Espinoza, Katherine L. Narr, Shile Qi, Christopher C. Abbott, Sanne J. H. van Rooij, Patricio Riva-Posse, Luis Emilio Bruni, Helen S. Mayberg, Vince D. Calhoun
Summary: This study compared the rs-fMRI of DEP patients with healthy participants, finding that DEP patients spent less time in a state with higher connectivity between CCN and DMN, which was correlated with HDRS changes. Post-ECT analysis showed an increased time spent in this state for DEP patients, indicating the effect of ECT on DEP patients.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dominique S. Scheepens, Jeroen A. van Waarde, Freek ten Doesschate, Mirjam Westra, Marijn C. W. Kroes, Aart H. Schene, Robert A. Schoevers, Damiaan Denys, Henricus G. Ruhe, Guido A. van Wingen
Summary: This study examines the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on negative schemas and depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD). The results suggest that ECT can improve negative schemas, which in turn mediates the improvement of depressive symptoms.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yue Wu, Yang Ji, Tongjian Bai, Qiang Wei, Meidan Zu, Yuanyuan Guo, Huaming Lv, Aiguo Zhang, Bensheng Qiu, Kai Wang, Yanghua Tian
Summary: This study investigated the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on brain networks in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. The results showed that ECT improved the nodal degree of specific brain regions, such as the angular cortex and precuneus. Furthermore, the increased nodal degree was found to be associated with decreased depressive symptoms. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of depression treatment and potential targets for antidepressant pharmacotherapies.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
M. van Verseveld, R. J. T. Mocking, D. Scheepens, F. ten Doesschate, M. Westra, R. A. Schoevers, A. H. Schene, G. A. van Wingen, J. A. van Waarde, H. G. Ruhe
Summary: This study provides the first indication that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The results suggest that PUFAs may affect ECT outcomes by influencing neuronal electrochemical properties and neurogenesis. PUFAs could potentially serve as a modifiable factor predicting ECT outcomes and further investigation is warranted in other ECT cohorts.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caitlin C. Clements, Robert Karlsson, Yi Lu, Anders Jureus, Christian Ruck, Evelyn Andersson, Julia Boberg, Nancy L. Pedersen, Cynthia M. Bulik, Axel Nordenskjold, Erik Palsson, Patrick F. Sullivan, Mikael Landen
Summary: Analysis of severe cases of major depressive disorder (MDD) using genome-wide SNP genotyping revealed a higher burden of genetic risk loci, stronger genetic correlations with other psychiatric disorders, and weaker correlations with personality and stress-related traits, suggesting a different genetic architecture at the severe end of the MDD spectrum.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Fangyue Chen, Emad Sidhom, Sharon Yang, Eladia Ruiz-Mendoza, Julius Essem
Summary: This is a case report of a 75-year-old female patient with severe depression who did not respond to ECT until the 11th session. She showed significant improvement after a total of 17 ECT sessions and remained well 3 months post-treatment. The case highlights the importance of considering individual response variability in ECT treatment and the potential need for further research to standardize treatment guidelines.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Aron T. Hill, Itay Hadas, Reza Zomorrodi, Daphne Voineskos, Paul B. Fitzgerald, Daniel M. Blumberger, Zafiris J. Daskalakis
Summary: This study utilized TMS-EEG to investigate the differences in neural oscillatory dynamics between subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HC), revealing increased oscillatory power in the DLPFC area in MDD subjects before treatment, and decreased power after convulsive therapy. These findings suggest that convulsive therapy may modulate neural oscillatory activity in MDD.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Youbin Kang, Wooyoung Kang, Aram Kim, Woo-Suk Tae, Byung-Joo Ham, Kyu-Man Han
Summary: Early neurodevelopmental deviations, such as abnormal cortical folding patterns, are candidate biomarkers of major depressive disorder (MDD). This study investigated the association between MDD and the local gyrification index (LGI) in each cortical region, as well as the association between LGI and clinical characteristics of MDD. Patients with MDD showed decreased LGI values in multiple cortical regions compared to healthy controls, while within the MDD group, longer illness duration and recurrence were associated with increased gyrification in certain temporal and occipital regions.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Shile Qi, Vince D. Calhoun, Daoqiang Zhang, Jeremy Miller, Zhi-De Deng, Katherine L. Narr, Yvette Sheline, Shawn M. McClintock, Rongtao Jiang, Xiao Yang, Joel Upston, Tom Jones, Jing Sui, Christopher C. Abbott
Summary: This study identifies the multimodal brain networks associated with ECT antidepressant-response and cognitive-impairment and explores the correlation between these networks and the ECT-induced electric field (E-field). The findings suggest that changes in the superior orbitofrontal cortex, caudate, and medial temporal cortex are common to both antidepressant-response and cognitive-impairment networks. Additionally, specific alterations in the hippocampal complex, thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampal complex are associated with either antidepressant-response or cognitive-impairment. The E-field within these networks shows an inverse relationship with HDRS reduction and cognitive impairment. The optimal E-field range for maximizing antidepressant outcomes without compromising cognitive safety is estimated to be [92.7-113.9] V/m.
Review
Neurosciences
F. H. Robin Cash, Anne Weigand, Andrew Zalesky, H. Shan Siddiqi, Jonathan Downar, B. Paul Fitzgerald, D. Michael Fox
Summary: Research indicates that using neuroimaging to identify a more precise therapeutic target for depression is crucial for the effectiveness of TMS treatment. New methods allow for precise positioning of the TMS coil, and targeting the frontal cortex with functional connectivity to deep limbic regions may be a more effective approach.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Victor M. Tang, Daniel M. Blumberger, Cory R. Weissman, Julia Dimitrova, Alanah Throop, Shawn M. McClintock, Daphne Voineskos, Tarek K. Rajji, Jonathan Downar, Yuliya Knyahnytska, Benoit H. Mulsant, Paul B. Fitzgerald, Zafiris J. Daskalakis
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy and cognitive effects of Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) in patients with treatment-resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). MST did not show significant clinical improvement in a small group of patients with treatment-resistant OCD, but also did not result in serious adverse effects.
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Aron T. Hill, Itay Hadas, Reza Zomorrodi, Daphne Voineskos, Paul B. Fitzgerald, Daniel M. Blumberger, Zafiris J. Daskalakis
Summary: This study utilized TMS-EEG to investigate the differences in neural oscillatory dynamics between subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HC), revealing increased oscillatory power in the DLPFC area in MDD subjects before treatment, and decreased power after convulsive therapy. These findings suggest that convulsive therapy may modulate neural oscillatory activity in MDD.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Psychiatry
Paul B. Fitzgerald
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Paul B. Fitzgerald, Shane Gill, Salam Hussain, Shanthi Sarma, Suneel Chamoli, Alan Weiss, David Garside, Subramanian Purushothaman, Matthew Fasnacht, Brett Simpson, Tibi Csizmadia, Carol Dean, Colleen Loo
Summary: Clinical practice guidelines play a crucial role in shaping clinical practice, but the recently published guideline for managing patients with mood disorders, specifically in regards to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression treatment, has significant flaws and contradictions with scientific literature.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Psychiatry
R. H. McAllister-Williams, S. T. Aaronson, C. R. Conway, K. Demyttenaere, P. B. Fitzgerald, C. K. Loo, P. B. Mitchell, A. J. Rush, H. A. Sackeim, A. H. Young
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Paul B. Fitzgerald, Mark S. George, Saxby Pridmore
Summary: Despite over 25 years of research establishing the antidepressant efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, there is still uncertainty surrounding the depth and breadth of this evidence base. However, numerous studies have shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is effective in treating depression, with meta-analyses and umbrella reviews indicating that it may be more effective than other alternatives for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Additionally, real-world studies have confirmed meaningful response and remission rates in over 5000 patients, suggesting that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation should be a routine part of clinical care.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Paul B. Fitzgerald, Shane Gill, Michael Breakspear, Jayashri Kulkarni, Leo Chen, Saxby Pridmore, Subramanian Purushothaman, Cherrie Galletly, Patrick Clarke, Felicity Ng, Salam Hussain, Suneel Chamoli, Tibi Csizmadia, Patrick Tolan, Luca Cocchi, Samir Ibrahim Oam, Kavitha Shankar, Shanthi Sarma, Michael Lau, Colleen Loo, Tarun Yadav, Kate E. Hoy
Summary: This article discusses the controversy surrounding repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment of depression as addressed in the Royal Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, while also highlighting the strong evidence supporting the safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of this treatment method.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Letter
Neurosciences
Victor M. Tang, Daniel M. Blumberger, Aron T. Hill, Cory R. Weissman, Daphne Voineskos, Tarek K. Rajji, Jonathan Downar, Yuliya Knyahnytska, Benoit H. Mulsant, Paul B. Fitzgerald, Zafiris J. Daskalakis
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Helena K. Kim, Daniel M. Blumberger, Paul B. Fitzgerald, Benoit H. Mulsant, Zafiris J. Daskalakis
Summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis compared antidepressant outcomes in MDD patients with or without comorbidities, showing that those with physical or psychiatric comorbidities had worse outcomes. The high heterogeneity of the studies was a limitation. Overall, the evidence updated in this review indicates that MDD patients with comorbidities face challenges in achieving effective treatment outcomes.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Aleksandra Miljevic, Neil W. Bailey, Fidel Vila-Rodriguez, Sally E. Herring, Paul B. Fitzgerald
Summary: Brain connectivity can be estimated through analysis of EEG data, but there is substantial heterogeneity in the implementation of connectivity methods. Standardization of processing and reporting can improve comparability and synthesizability of EEG connectivity studies. This article discusses factors influencing connectivity estimates and provides recommendations and a checklist for quality assessment.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY-COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING
(2022)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Paul B. Fitzgerald, Rebecca Anne Segrave, Alex Fornito, Ben J. Harrison, Kate Hoy
Letter
Psychiatry
Paul B. Fitzgerald, Saxby Pridmore
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Shane Gill, Salam Hussain, Subramanian Purushothaman, Shanthi Sarma, Alan Weiss, Suneel Chamoli, Matthew Fasnacht, Ashu Gandhi, Paul B. Fitzgerald, Brett Simpson, Colleen K. Loo
Summary: In the last century, the prescribing of electroconvulsive therapy involved considering unilateral versus bilateral treatment options. However, recent research has shown that various parameters of the therapy can significantly impact its effectiveness and cognitive side effects. The dose relative to seizure threshold and stimulus pulse width have been found to be particularly important factors in determining efficacy and side effects. This viewpoint aims to raise awareness among psychiatrists about the importance of considering these parameters when prescribing electroconvulsive therapy.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Aleksandra Miljevic, Neil W. Bailey, Oscar W. Murphy, M. Prabhavi N. Perera, Paul B. Fitzgerald
Summary: The brain works as an organised, network-like structure of functionally interconnected regions, and disruptions to interconnectivity in certain networks have been linked to symptoms of depression and impairments in cognition. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on EEG functional connectivity (FC) in depression. Fifty-two studies were identified, and while consistent findings were found in resting-state studies, no clear conclusions could be drawn about the direction of differences in FC due to inconsistencies in study design and methodology. More robust research is needed to understand the true differences in EEG FC in depression, as characterizing how FC differs in depression is essential for understanding its etiology.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
