OBJECTIVE: The relationships between pretreatment EEG parameters and seizure duration in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were studied in order to provide information useful for the prediction of ECT-induced seizures. METHODS: In 16 depressed patients treated with right unilateral ECT, pretreatment absolute band powers and interhemispheric coherences were assessed and correlated with the duration of the first ECT-induced seizure. RESULTS: Interhemispheric coherence for the central electrodes in the fast alpha band was positively correlated with seizure duration. CONCLUSIONS: Interhemispheric coherence may reflect, in a quantitative manner, cortico-cortical transmission via commissural pathways required for the generation of a generalized seizure through right unilateral stimulation. It may represent a useful parameter with respect to seizure threshold with potential therapeutic implications for ECT. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
OBJECTIVE: The relationships between pretreatment EEG parameters and seizure duration in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were studied in order to provide information useful for the prediction of ECT-induced seizures. METHODS: In 16 depressedpatients treated with right unilateral ECT, pretreatment absolute band powers and interhemispheric coherences were assessed and correlated with the duration of the first ECT-induced seizure. RESULTS: Interhemispheric coherence for the central electrodes in the fast alpha band was positively correlated with seizure duration. CONCLUSIONS: Interhemispheric coherence may reflect, in a quantitative manner, cortico-cortical transmission via commissural pathways required for the generation of a generalized seizure through right unilateral stimulation. It may represent a useful parameter with respect to seizure threshold with potential therapeutic implications for ECT. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel