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Depression researchers at the Donders Institute and Radboudumc receive 600.000 euro from the Dutch organisation for health research ZonMw. With the grant, the clinical scientists will improve knowledge and reputation of precision electroconvulsive therapy for patients with a depression.
Depression, especially when complicated by severe symptoms and chronicity, puts a great burden on patients, their relatives and society. Brain stimulation with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a method to treat depressive symptoms effectively. Under general anaesthesia, small electric currents in the brain changes the brain chemistry in order to reverse symptoms. The therapy usually becomes an option when other treatments do not work.
The use of ECT is surprisingly low in the Netherlands, despite its superior efficacy. Reasons for this are limited knowledge of the method and its cost-effectiveness, and the fear for side-effects, due to the outdated reputation of ECT. The researchers - working together in the Precision Electroconvulsive Therapy Consortium – will use the grant to fill this gap.
An online tool for patients
Within the project, the consortium will analyze (cost-) effectiveness and side-effects of ECT and compare it to treatment with antidepressants in merged clinical and research cohorts. A prospective study comparing ECT with medication on outcome and costs will add in-depth details to the first step.
The ultimate goal is to built an online tool about the method. Together with patients, relatives and referrers, an informative, needs-based, website on ECT with a personalized decision-making tool will be designed. This way, the negative stigma around ECT should be reduced and the knowledge of (cost-) effectiveness and safety of ECT should increase.
Precision Electroconvulsive Therapy Consortium
The Precision Electroconvulsive Therapy Consortium consists of Annemiek Dols, Philip van Eijndhoven, Indira Tendolkar, Harm Pieters Spaans, Ben Wijnen, Metten Somers, Jeroen van Waarde, Esmée Verwijk & Bart Schut. It's a collaboration of GGZinGeest, Amsterdam UMC, Donders Institute/Radboudumc, Parnassia, Trimbos, UMC Utrecht, Rijnstate, University of Amsterdam & Depression Union.
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