Regulation of Intracerebral Pressure During Electroconvulsive Therapy

Regulation of Intracerebral Pressure During Electroconvulsive Therapy. Does Systemic Bloodpressure Reflect the Intracranial Pressure?

The purpose of this study is to determine whether electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has an influence on pressure within the human brain before, during and after ECT.

1. Aim:

   1. Our main objective concerning this study is to determine to what extent ECT does lead to an increase of the Pulsatility Index (as an indicator of intracerebral pressure) measured by a Transcranial Doppler Device (TCD).
   2. As a secondary objective we want to compare the PI measurements with simultaneously measured systemic blood pressure.

2. Study design:

   a.Observational study: cohort study

3. Treatment:

   a. Treatment as usual, PI and blood pressure measurement at baseline, just before ECT, during and 5 minutes after ECT. Data will be collected during unilateral treatment during 3 consecutive ECT treatments.

4. Endpoints:

   1. A minimum of sixteen patients are needed according to the power analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Temporal window to measure PI
• Major depression
• Psychotic depression

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under 18 years of age