[en] Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is known as an effective treatment for some depressive disorders. Nevertheless ECT continues to be a subject of controversy. The absence of a unifying theory for its mechanisms of action explains the mistrust about ECT. The aim of this article is to review the literature about ECT and to propose a synthesis concerning its mechanisms of action. At the present time, the most reliable hypothesis suggests selective activations of central serotonergic and dopaminergic systems on the one hand, and a direct stimulation of the neuroendocrine neurons on the other hand.
Disciplines :
Treatment & clinical psychology
Author, co-author :
Couvreur, Véronique ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Psychiatrie et psychologie médicale
Ansseau, Marc ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Psychiatrie et psychologie médicale
Franck, Georges ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Relations académiques et scientifiques (Médecine)
Language :
French
Title :
L'électroconvulsivothérapie et ses mécanismes d'actions
Alternative titles :
[en] Electroconvulsive Therapy and Its Mechanism of Action
