RESULTS The most common indication for using ECT for schizophrenia patients was to augment pharmacotherapy , while the most common accompanying symptoms were , in order , catatonia , aggression and suicide .
Catatonic patients responded significantly better to ECT than patients with any other subtype of schizophrenia .
The combination of ECT with pharmacotherapy can be useful for drug-resistant patients .
The use of an ECT-risperidone combination or ECT-clozapine combination in patients non-responsive to prior pharmacotherapy was found to be most effective .
This review indicates that ECT , combined with pharmacotherapy , may be a viable option for a selected group of patients with schizophrenia .
In particular , the use of ECT is recommended for drug-resistant patients , for schizophrenic patients with catatonia , aggression or suicidal behavior  , and when rapid global improvement and reduction of acute symptomatology are required
BACKGROUND Electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ) is a medical treatment that is most effective for mood disorders ( Bipolar Disorder and Major Depression ) .
It has also been shown to be an effective treatment for schizophrenia accompanied by catatonia , extreme depression , mania and other affective components .
ECT is currently under-used in many psychiatric setting s due to its stigmatized perception by patients and mental health professionals .
However , many unanswered questions remain regarding its role in the management of patients with schizophrenia .
AIM Evaluate the main indications of ECT in subjects suffering from schizophrenia .
OBJECTIVES Investigate the efficacy and the main indications of  ECT in the treatment of schizophrenic patients , evaluate its effects in the short-term and the long-term , compare ECT treatment with pharmacotherapy , and assess the effects of treatment with ECT .
Improvement of psychiatric symptoms after electroconvulsive therapy in young adults with intractable first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder.
Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder that develops mainly in young adults .  Electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ) is known to be effective and safe in patients with schizophrenia with acute psychotic exacerbation . Because of the shortage of systematic studies , we conducted a prospect i ve naturalistic study to examine the short-term effects of acute ECT and its safety in young adults with medically intractable first-episode schizophrenia . Subjects were seven consecutive patients , 15 - 35 years of age , with first-episode schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , 4th edition ; DSM-IV ) , who had failed to respond to neuroleptics . The seven patients were treated with a first course of ECT , and their clinical symptoms were evaluated on the basis of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ( BPRS ) ( 18 items , rated 0 - 6 ) and Global Assessment of Functioning ( GAF ) Scale . The GAF Scale is presented in DSM-IV as a means of assessing global functioning of a psychiatric patient . Scores range from 1 - 100 ; the higher GAF score indicates the higher global functioning . Adverse effects result ing from acute ECT were also evaluated . The total BPRS score 1 week after the final session improved significantly compared to the total pre-ECT BPRS score . The GAF score also improved significantly compared to the pre-ECT GAF score . There were no adverse effects during the acute ECT course , except for mild delirium . We conclude that ECT may be an effective and safe treatment option for young adults with intractable first-episode schizophrenia
RESULTS The most common indication for using ECT for schizophrenia patients was to augment pharmacotherapy , while the most common accompanying symptoms were , in order , catatonia , aggression and suicide .
Catatonic patients responded significantly better to ECT than patients with any other subtype of schizophrenia .
The combination of ECT with pharmacotherapy can be useful for drug-resistant patients .
The use of an ECT-risperidone combination or ECT-clozapine combination in patients non-responsive to prior pharmacotherapy was found to be most effective .
This review indicates that ECT , combined with pharmacotherapy , may be a viable option for a selected group of patients with schizophrenia .
In particular , the use of ECT is recommended for drug-resistant patients , for schizophrenic patients with catatonia , aggression or suicidal behavior  , and when rapid global improvement and reduction of acute symptomatology are required
BACKGROUND Electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ) is a medical treatment that is most effective for mood disorders ( Bipolar Disorder and Major Depression ) .
It has also been shown to be an effective treatment for schizophrenia accompanied by catatonia , extreme depression , mania and other affective components .
ECT is currently under-used in many psychiatric setting s due to its stigmatized perception by patients and mental health professionals .
However , many unanswered questions remain regarding its role in the management of patients with schizophrenia .
AIM Evaluate the main indications of ECT in subjects suffering from schizophrenia .
OBJECTIVES Investigate the efficacy and the main indications of  ECT in the treatment of schizophrenic patients , evaluate its effects in the short-term and the long-term , compare ECT treatment with pharmacotherapy , and assess the effects of treatment with ECT .