• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.214-217
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• 1997

Electroconvulsive therapy(ECT) is one of the most effective treatment modalities for the treatment of depression, mania, schizophrenia, or other neuropsychiatric disorders. But, reportedly ECT also can produce various forms of cardiac arrhythmia. We experienced a case of ECT-induced arrhythmia(PVC) accompanied with chest pain in a schizophrenic patient during the course of plain ECT. We conclude that there is a possible causal relationship between ECT and cardiac arrhythmia(PVC). The mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmia(PVC) due to ECT may be explained by the effects of ECT to vagal and sympathetic nervous systems. from this case report, We suggest that careful cardiac monitoring before, during, and after ECT with appropriate anesthetic preparation to a patient may enable to minimize the cardiovascular side effects of ECT in the patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 1989

This study was investigated the effects of imipramine (IMI) and electroconvulsive shock (ECS), which are used as antidepressant therapy, on the central $\beta_1$or $\beta_2$ adrenergic receptor in anesthetized rats. The resting blood pressure and heart rate decreased in reserpinized group (5 mg/kg i. p., 24 hr before), but not in order 4 groups i. e. acute IMI (20 mg/kg i. p.. 3-5 hr before), chronic IMI (Same dose, twice a day for 14 days), siggle ECS (sinusoidal 20 Hz, 120 V for 2 sec) and repeated ECS (same condition, daily for 12 days). The increase of heart rate and hypotension evoked by 1 or 3 $\mu$g intracerebroventricular (i. c. v.) administration of (+) dobutamine, $\beta_2$-agonist, 1 or 3 $\mu$g i. c. v. was significantly attenuated in repeated ECS or reserpine treatment. And, the diminuation of pulse pressure of salbutamol also reduced by repeated ECS. These results suggest that IMI or ECS result in attenuation on tachycardia by (+) dobutamine or on hypotension by salbutamol, presumably by which the central $\beta_1$ or $\beta_2$receptor sensitivity may be suppressed, repectively.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2013

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a severe iatrogenic complication of treatment with antipsychotic medication. The aim of this review is to provide the clinical characteristics and treatments of children and adolescents with NMS. Searches were conducted in Medline, Korean studies Information Service System (KISS), and Research Information Service System (RISS). Sixteen case reports and two review articles were selected in Medline, and two Korean cases reported in department of emergency medicine and pediatrics were selected from RISS. Heterogeneous and atypical presentations of NMS were observed in children and adolescents. Some noticeable differences were observed between adult patients and child patients with NMS. In addition, symptom presentations related to atypical antipsychotic agents differed from those of typical ones. In treatment, bromocriptine and benzodiazepine were recommended for management of symptoms. In particular, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was a useful treatment option. For prevention and early detection of NMS in children and adolescents, evaluation of risk factors and understanding of diagnostic features of NMS are very important.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.167-174
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• 2017

Based on advances in biotechnology and neuroscience, neuromodulation is poised to gain clinical importance as a treatment modality for psychiatric disorders. In addition to old-established electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), clinicians are expected to understand newer forms of neurostimulation, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). Given the growing interest in non-invasive neuromodulation technologies, clinicians may seek sufficient information about neuromodulation to inform their clinical practice. A growing literature suggests that applications of non-invasive neuromodulation have evidence particularly for indications where treatments are currently insufficient, such as drug-resistant depression. However, positive neuromodulation studies require replication, and the precise interactions among stimulation, antidepressant medication, and psychotherapy are unknown. Further studies of long-term safety and the impact on the developing brain are needed. Non-invasive neuromodulatory devices could enable more individualized treatment. However, do-it-yourself (DIY) stimulation kits require a better understanding of the effects of more frequent patterns of stimulation and raise concerns about clinical supervision, regulation, and reimbursement. Wide spread enthusiasm for therapeutic potential of neuromodulation in clinical practice settings should be mitigated by the fact that there are still research gaps and challenges associated with non-invasive neuromodulatory devices.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.121-133
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• 1999

Lethal catatonia is one of catatonic spectrum, but it differentiates itself to a separate entity as a syndrome because of its severity and lethality. The prevalence of this disorder may have declined worldwide, coinciding with the advent of modern psychopharmacologic agents and other advances in medical treatment. The patient reported here was an 11-year old boy, showing catatonic excitement and stuporous condition with high fever, autonomic dysfunction and several catatonic symptoms. This is a case of successful treatment by using intensive medical monitoring and conservative treatment in an intensive care unit, combined with pharmacological treatment and electroconvulsive therapy during the early phase of lethal catatonia with mild symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.234-243
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• 2006

Objectives : Several factors, such as biological markers, clinical correlates, and course of the depressive disorders with psychotic symptoms differ from those without psychotic symptoms. Therefore, specification of a treatment algorithm for depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms is legitimated. This article provides a systematic review of somatic treatments for depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms. Methods : According to the search strategy of the Clinical Research Center for Depression of Korean Health 21 R & D Project, first, PubMed and EMBASE were searched using terms with regard to the treatment of depressive disorders with psychotic symptoms(until July 2006). Reference lists of related reviews and studies were searched. In addition, relevant practice guidelines were searched using PubMed. All identified clinical literatures were reviewed and summarized in a narrative manner. Results : Treatment options, such as a combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic versus an antidepressant or an antipsychotic alone are summarized. In addition, issues regarding the electroconvulsive therapy( ECT), combination therapy, and maintenance treatment are discussed. Conclusion : In former times, the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic or ECT were recommended as the first line treatment for depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms. Recently, however, there was a suggestion that there was no conclusive evidence that the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic drug is more effective than an antidepressant alone. More evidence regarding the pharmacological treatment for depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms is needed.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.259-264
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• 1997

The authors performed this preliminary study to investigate the effect of softening E.C.T. and propofol was compared to pentothal for induction of anaesthesia for E.C.T. on seizure duration. The results were follows ; 1) E.C.T. was performed in 60 psychiatric inpatients who were admitted during the study period. Of them 51.7% were diagnosed as schizophrenia, 21.6% as major depressive disorder, 16.7% as bipolar I disorder, manic and 10% of others. 2) Mean number of E.C.T. was 12.2 times a patient. 3) The most common target symptoms were persecutory delusion in schizophrenia, psychomotor retardation or agitation in major depressive disorder, and violent aggressive behavior in bipolar I disorder, manic. 4) Pre-ECT medication usually used were atropine $0.0093mgkg^{-1}$, pentothal $2.76mgkg^{-1}$ or propofol $1.42mgkg^{-1}$. 5) The duration of seizure, as measured clinically, was reduced with propofol(20.5 sec) in comparison with pentothal (35.7 sec)(p<0.001). This suggests the possibility that additional treatments may be needed for the same clinical effect in psychiatric illness when propofol is used as the induction agent.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.111-132
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• 2001

Depression in the medically ill is a common clinical problem that primary physicians and psychiatric consultants encounter. Treatment of such patients begins with a careful evaluation of the patient's medical and psychiatric conditions. The assessment of depression in the medical patients requires a multidimensional approach. Psychological instruments are also used as a method of assessment in these patients. First of all, what the therapists have to do is to find and remove organic causes. Psychosoical treatment includes dealing with the patient's resistance and despondency relevant to physical diseases. For biological treatment, it is important to select appropriate antidepressants. Therapists should be familiar with the side effects of the antidepressants as well as the patient's primary depressive symptoms, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the available agents. In addition, special attention should be paid to the potential for drug-illness and drug-drug interactions. Tricyclic antidepressants can be still effectively used for patients with pain disorder, although a variety of new antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), bupropion and venlafaxine could have more benefits in depression of the medically ill. However, electroconvulsive therapy can be recommended for refractory cases of depression in patients with medical illness.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2007

The pregnancy and postpartum period appear to be a time of heightened vulnerability for the development of major depression in some women. Postpartum depression affects 10% of women within a few weeks immediately postpartum. Postpartum depression is associated with disturbances in the mother-infant relationship, which in turn have an adverse impact on the course of child cognitive and emotional development. Depression during pregnancy is also common, although it has been relatively neglected. Psychopathological symptoms during pregnancy have physiological consequences for the fetus. Understanding the aetiology of perinatal depression requires integrating of multiple psychosocial and biological risk factors. The treatment of depressed pregnant women requires skilled decision making by psychiatrists. Risk-benefit analysis is appropriate method for intervention fur depression in pregnancy. Effective treatments for depression in pregnancy include psychotherapy, antidepressant medication and electroconvulsive therapy. In treatment of postpartum depression, the biological, psychological, and social interventions are included. Prescribing antidepressants(such as fluoxetine), estrogen in severe and chronic cases, and counselling can be effective for improving maternal mood and aspects of infant outcome. Ongoing research is directed to further elucidating neurohormonal and psychosocial contributions to depression during pregnancy or postpartum. Screening for risk factors and symptoms for depression need to be incorporated into antenatal and pediatric clinics.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2007

Objectives : Considering the impact of depressive illness on physical and mental health of both mother and fetus, specification of a treatment algorithm for depressive disorder during pregnancy is legitimated. This article provides a systemic review of treatments for depressive disorder during pregnancy and lactation. Methods : According to the search strategy of the Clinical Research Center for Depression of Korean Health 21 R & D Project, PubMed and EMBASE were searched using terms with regard to the treatment of depressive disorders during pregnancy and lactation. Reference lists of related reviews and studies were searched. In addition, relevant practice guidelines were searched using the PubMed. All identified clinical literatures were reviewed and summarized in a narrative manner. Results : Pharmacotherapy during pregnancy and lactation requires a comprehensive assessment of the risks and benefits of treatment for both mother and fetus or neonate. Recently, there is growing evidence that the use of tricyclic and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy and lactation does not result in increased risks of teratogenicity. Treatment strategies are described according to the point of time of pregnancy or lactation. FDA categories for antidepressants during pregnancy and lactation are described. In addition, issues regarding to the electroconvulsive therapy and psychosocial treatment are discussed. Conclusion : The treatment option for depressive disorders during pregnancy and lactation depends on the severity of depressive illnesses of the individual patient. For mild to moderate depression, the non-pharmacological treatment should be considered first. For moderate to severe depression, pharmacotherapy should be administered in addition to the psychosocial treatment. ECT is recommended for depressive disorder of severe intensity. As the research knowledge is limited, the recommendations should based on the best judgement of psychiatrists.