A reappraisal of the role of caffeine in ECT

W. Vaughn McCall, Stephanie Reid, Peter Rosenquist, Arthur Foreman, Nancy Kiesow-Webb

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Caffeine lengthens ECT seizures, perhaps by lowering the convulsive threshold. The authors assessed the impact of caffeine on the convulsive threshold and seizure duration. The convulsive threshold and seizure durations of 12 inpatients receiving right unilateral ECT were determined with and without caffeine pretreatment. Caffeine did not change the convulsive threshold, but it did lengthen seizure duration. Caffeine's lengthening of seizure duration without affecting the convulsive threshold is an uncertain benefit in right unilateral ECT.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1543-1545
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry
Volume150
Issue number10
StatePublished - 1993
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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