Electrode Placement and Ictal EEG Indices in Electroconvulsive Therapy

Abstract

The authors determine whether quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) indices in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) seizures correlate with stimulus electrode placement. The authors analyzed data from ECT seizures involving three electrode placements on 37 different quantitative EEG measures. Though there were a few statistically significant comparisons, no consistent pattern of differences was discerned among the three electrode placements. Though many different EEG analytical indices are available on modern ECT machines, the clinical or neurophysiologic relevance has yet to be established. These data provide a groundwork for future research on the neurophysiological aspects of ECT.