Electroconvulsive Therapy for Obesity Treatment

Joseph Eldor,Vladimir Kotlovker,Svetlana Kotlovker

doi:10.4236/ojanes.2014.43011

Abstract

ECT is most often used as a treatment for severe major depression which has not responded to other treatment, and it is also used in the treatment of mania (often in bipolar disorder), and catatonia. Its use for obesity treatment was never suggested before. However, incidental information from several studies revealed that “Five of 10 patients were obese pre-ECT, all of whom had a significant weight loss after ECT.” and “Once-daily ECS over 10 days (which significantly reduced weight gain in rats)”. A new hypothesis is made for the use of ECT for obesity treatment.

Highlights

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), known as electroshock, is a well-established, albeit controversial, psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in anesthetized patients for therapeutic effect
ECT is most often used as a treatment for severe major depression which has not responded to other treatment, and it is used in the treatment of mania, and catatonia
Patients whose weights were normal pre-ECT, did not experience weight loss. These finding suggests that ECT is a viable alternative for overweight patients with mood disorders who do not respond to mood stabilizers or cannot tolerate side effects

Summary

Electroconvulsive Therapy as Treatment for Obese Patients

With the increased use of atypical antipsychotic medication in the treatment of mood disorders, patients are increasingly experiencing side effects, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and the metabolic syndrome, which, in turn, increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) can be used as a prophylaxis for the recurrence of mood episodes for treatment-resistant patients. Five of 10 patients were obese pre-ECT, all of whom had a significant weight loss after ECT. Patients whose weights were normal pre-ECT, did not experience weight loss. These finding suggests that ECT is a viable alternative for overweight patients with mood disorders who do not respond to mood stabilizers or cannot tolerate side effects

Electroconvulsive Therapy as Treatment for Obese Mice

Hypothalamic Obesity

The Hypothalamus and the Regulation of Energy Homeostasis

Depression and Obesity

Anesthesia for Electroconvulsive Therapy in Obese Patients

Conclusion