Depression treatment recommendations seldom include chronic illness comorbidity.

To describe the rationale and methods for a cluster-randomized trial (CRT) in primary care clinics (PCC) comparing a computer-assisted psychoeducational (CAPE) intervention to usual care (UC) for depressed patients with hypertension or diabetes.

Two-arm, single-blind CRT in Santiago, Chile. Eight PCC will be randomly assigned to the intervention or UC. A total of 360 depressed individuals aged 18 or older PHQ-9 scores ≥ 15 and hypertension or diabetes will be recruited. Patients with alcohol/substance abuse; current treatment for depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis; illiteracy; severe impairment; and residents in long-term care facilities will be excluded. Patients in the intervention will receive eight CAPE sessions by trained therapists, structured telephone calls to track progress, and usual medical care for chronic diseases. Psychologists and psychiatrists will regularly supervise therapists. To ensure continuity of care, the PCC team will meet monthly with a research team member. Patients in UC will receive standard medical and depression treatment. Three, six, and twelve months after enrollment, outcomes will be assessed. The primary outcome will be a 50% reduction in baseline PHQ-9 scores at six months. Intention-to-treat analyses will be used.

A previous, small-scale pilot study provided valuable insights for study design.

This study will provide first-hand evidence on the effectiveness of a CAPE for depressed patients with chronic diseases at PCC in a Latin American country.

No significant relationships.

Trichotillomania is characterized by recurrent pulling of one’s hair despite attempts of stopping, resulting in hair loss. Previously classified as impulse control disorder, it is now considered an obsessive-compulsive related disorder in DSM-5. First-line therapy is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), with strong support for habit reversal training. For pharmacological therapy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed. Clomipramine has been used but is limited by its side effect profile. Many patients continue to experience distressing symptoms despite current treatment methods.

Lamotrigine, an anticonvulsant medication, is frequently utilized by psychiatrists to treat conditions like Bipolar Disorder. However, its utility in treating Trichotillomania has not been explored. We are interested to find out if it could benefit patients who have not responded adequately to current available treatment.

We report a case of a lady suffering from Trichotillomania for many years with limited improvement despite active treatment. We follow her progress after being started on Lamotrigine for six months.

In our case, a lady with longstanding Trichotillomania has previously been treated with SSRIs and Chlomipramine with limited response. An incidental trial of Lamotrigine after stopping her other medications has led to sustained improvement and stabilization of her condition. A possible hypothesis on how Lamotrigine’s mode of action could have led to this improvement will explored in this paper.

This case illustrates the potential of Lamotrigine to treat Trichotillomania in someone who has not responded adequately to usual treatment and could be an area worth looking into for future research.

No significant relationships.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric illness in which the Patients seeking cosmetic surgery are usually unsatisfied with the outcomes of the surgery. Therefore, it is essential to study this phenomenon and increase awareness among physicians to assess for the presence of BDD before any cosmetic treatment.

To assess the presence of BDD among female patients undergoing cosmetic procedures and improve awareness among providers of cosmetic treatment.

This cross-sectional study uses the adult version of the BDD modification of the Y-BOCS (BDD-YBOCS) scale. Its consists of 12 items related to preoccupied thoughts that participants have about their appearance and the effects that these thoughts have on their lives. Questionnaires were distributed on different online platforms among females living in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Out of the 220 women who participated, 45 had BDD (prevalence rate of 20.5%), a significant and worrying percentage. The result indicates more among participants in the age group of 20–35 years. Also, it revealed positive correlation exists between BDD and females seeking cosmetic procedures.

One-fifth of the participants were diagnosed to be suffering from BDD. Higher rates were observed among women who underwent cosmetic procedures. Therefore, we recommend physicians conduct screening for patients seeking cosmetic procedures before starting any treatment.

No significant relationships.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and impairing condition included in the DSM-5 Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders. Despite psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic measures, there are patients who remain refractory to different therapeutic strategies.

The authors aim to present different alternatives in approach, treatment and management of refractory OCD, based on a review of the existing literature.

Analysis of the data about this subject, considering the review articles and the case reports published at current time and highlighting the most essential topics, concerning the latest developments in the area.

Therapeutic options are presented, including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), deep brain stimulation (DBS) and ablative neurosurgery.

The treatment of OCD represents a great challenge in clinical practice. Despite the advances accomplished by a more extensive knowledge of the disease and a burden of new techniques in the last decades, more treatment strategies are needed, especially for patients with non-response to conventional treatment.

No significant relationships.

A growing number of studies have examined the link between inflammatory markers (IM) and the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, this association has yet to be fully identified.

This review aims to systematically evaluate evidence from studies examining peripheral IM in adult participants with OCD compared to controls. IM included: CRP, TNFa, IFNγ, IL1/4/6/10.

Databases used for literature searching: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO (until October 2021). Studies that examined IM in the blood of adult OCD and control groups were included. Screening and data extraction adhered to PRISMA guideline standards. The quality assessment utilised funnel plots and the approach developed by Hawker et al. 2002. A random-effects meta-analysis model was adopted. PROSPERO reference number: CRD42021284766.

The systematic review (19 studies, 1,225 participants) and meta-analysis (12 studies, 796 participants) had an average quality assessment score of 28.3 (medium quality) and 30.7 (high quality), respectively. The average heterogeneity of each IM analysed was 76.6%. Totalled, each study and IM analysis showed more insignificant differences (n=35) than significant differences (n=25). The meta-analysis revealed no significant difference for overall IM assessments. However, a sub-analysis of IL6 (excluding studies using serum or lipopolysaccharide stimulation) found significantly lower levels of IL6 within the OCD group (effect size: 3.98 and 95% CI: 0.43,7.53).

This is an up-to-date systematic review examining IM in OCD. Insignificant results found may have resulted from the relatively high heterogeneity or varied study designs. One sub-analysis of IL6 identified an association, although further studies are required with larger sample sizes and fewer disparities.

No significant relationships.

Suicide is a universal, complex, and multifaceted public health problem that is among the leading causes of preventable death worldwide. The impact of suicide affects families, communities, and societies; hence its prevention is an emerging priority for public health systems.

The current systematic review aims to investigate the efficacy of distance suicide prevention strategies implemented through synchronous technology-based interventions (i.e., any digital tool that allows interactive and immediate real-time communication conducted remotely).

The bibliographic search has been carried out in the electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science, with no restrictions on the publication period and limited to publications in English or Spanish. Two reviewers independently will conduct screenings, data extraction, risk of bias (RoB), and methodological quality assessment.

The preliminary data searches seem to support the effectiveness of providing active contact to persons who have made a suicide attempt and indicate that receiving early specialized assistance decreases the relative risk of recurrence. The reduction would be attributable to improved detection of patients at increased risk and effective referral to emergency services.

Telematics suicide prevention has been an emergent field for years, facilitated by the notably increased in acceptance and availability. Considering that distance programmes can reach affected individuals regardless of their location, it stands to reason that these interventions will be part of future suicide prevention efforts. The results will be discussed regarding (a) the effect size of the intervention outcomes and (b) the main moderators of the effectiveness found.

No significant relationships.

PIU has not yet been recognized by diagnostic classification systems, but it has received increasing research and clinical attention. It is defined as a generalized and compulsive use of the Internet associated with a loss of control and negative consequences for the individual

The main goal was to analyze the relation between problematic Internet Use and wellbeing in adolescents

The sample included a total of 1059 adolescents (47% were males). Age range was between 14 and 18 years old (M = 15,12; SD = 1,03). We used the Compulsive Internet Use Scale to assess Problematic Internet Use and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to screen for psychological difficulties and prosocial behaviour.

The results found in the ANOVA revealed that problematic internet use was statistically significant associated with psychological difficulties and prosocial capabilities (λ = 0.475, F(3,83,000) = 25.569, P ≤ 0.001, η² = 0.215).Adolescents with higher levels of Problematic Internet Use revealed more emotional and behavioural difficulties. In addition. those adolescents with higher levels of prosocial ablities were at a lower risk for Problematic Internet Use.

Previous research have revealed that the use of Internet has almost doubled in the last decade among adolescents across different European countries. Results revealed statistically significant correlations between Problematic Internet Use and indicators of well-being such as emotional difficulties and behavioral problems, as well as prosocial behaviours. Prevention strategies should focus on detecting problematic internet use among adolescents, as it is a variable related with different psychological difficulties that are diminishing adolescents’ well-being.

No significant relationships.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused multilevel changes worldwide. Everyday life of all people has been altered drastically. Children with ASD seem to face difficulties due to their heightened sensitivity to unpredictable and complex changes in their lifestyle. Our presentation aims to reveal the effects of Covid-19 on school-age children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The main thematic areas of this research, concerning the social workers’ questionnaire, focused on the routine, psycho-emotional field, school performance, sociability and school environment of children with ASD.

Between June 22nd and August 16th, 2021, social workers (n=38) and parents (n=25) administrated a questionnaire -through google form platform- which investigated issues around routine, psycho-emotional field, school performance, sociability, school, and family. Descriptive statistics were used for statistical analysis of the data.

The routine and psycho-emotional conditions of children with ASD were found to have a negative shift. Moreover, the degree of change on school performance was moderate, while sociability change was minimal. The significance of the school’s contribution and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the family functionality was highly observed. Another interesting finding was that children with ASD did not display discomfort for the mandatory social limitations or fear for the virus transmission.

Lastly, it is important to implement appropriate practices for the protection of children with ASD, through the mobilization of the responsible parties and thus, social policy transformations are vital for this vulnerable population.

No significant relationships.

Recurrent Unipolar and Bipolar affective disorders are considered paradigms of biological entities in psychiatry. However recent theories have underlined the role that environment plays in the genesis of these disorders in interaction with genetic diatheses.

This study examined the relationship between stressful life events (SLE) and recurrent major depressive disorders.

Three groups of 50 subjects were assessed: Patients with recurrent major depressive disorder with melancholic features; patients with borderline personality disorder; and healthy controls. Interviews for DSM-V Disorders were used for diagnosis. Beck Depression Inventory, The Israel Psychiatric Research Interview Life Event Scale and the Coddington Events Schedule were used to measure life events and depression and were confirmed with an interview.

The proportions of loss-related events in childhood and in the year preceding the first episode was higher in the depressed group than in the control groups during the same time period. Proportions of SLE, uncontrolled and independent events were also more common in the depressed patients in the year preceding the first episode.

The study’s conclusion is that SLE plays an important role in the onset of depressive disorders. There are specific kinds of SLE that occur in childhood and in the year preceding the first episode. SLE has a less significant role in the maintenance of this illness.

No significant relationships.

Identifying the optimal treatment for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) is often a long and complicated process. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have been used to help predict and explain differences in treatment response among individuals with MDD.

We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of treatment prediction studies utilizing fMRI in patients with MDD to provide evidence that neural activity can be used to predict response to antidepressant treatment.

A multi-level kernel density analysis was applied to these primary fMRI studies, in which we analyzed brain activation patterns of depressed patients (N= 364) before receiving antidepressant treatment.

The results of this analysis demonstrated that hyperactivity in six brain regions significantly predicted treatment response in patients with MDD: the right anterior cingulate, right cuneus, left fusiform gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, right cingulate gyrus, and left superior frontal gyrus.

This study provides evidence that neural activity, as measured by standard fMRI paradigms, can be used to successfully predict response to antidepressant treatment. This may be used in the future clinically to improve decision-making processes and treatment outcomes for patients.

No significant relationships.

While psychotherapy is an essential aspect of the treatment of depression, there are few studies focusing on the effectiveness of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic group therapies for depressed patients.

In this presentation, we will study the effects of a brief, 4-session psychodynamic intervention (BPI) led by a group of therapists, as inspired by the Lausanne model.

The patients were recruited in a therapeutic setting. A free consent form was completed and the ethics of research explained to each participant. Our sample consisted of 32 patients (average age = 43.81 years, sex ratio: 1M/ 4F). The therapists gathered data by completing several assessment scales after each therapy session: MADRS, ESM, EFP, HAQ-IT, EDICODE, Counter-Transfer Scale. The SPPS software (V21) was used to analyze the data.

The patients’ mean MADRS score dropped by more than 11 after the four sessions. This improvement matches a more positive and committed self-reported counter-transference of the therapists towards the patients. As their insight increases, patients show greater behavioral and psychic activity. We name this exit of the depressive inhibition the “unfreezing” process. It enables more satisfactory human interactions and a more focused and structured self-narrative.

BPI led by a group of therapists seem to be an effective therapeutic adjuvant in the “unfreezing” of the psychic processes in depressive patients. Our results point out the importance of jointly aiming at symptomatic improvement and therapeutic alliance.

No significant relationships.

The DiSCoVeR trial is a multi-site, double-blind, sham controlled, randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the feasibility and efficacy of an innovative, self-applied treatment approach for patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). The treatment approach incorporates non-invasive brain stimulation, i.e. prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and a videogame designed to enhance emotional cognitive control. This treatment is aimed to be applied at home and monitored remotely.

In this study we are looking at the first 10 single-site patients and comparing expected in person visits (according to the study protocol) versus actual in person visits as well as looking at the patients initial view of the therapy using the therapy evaluation form (CEQ) submitted after the 5th session.

Before continuing to self-administer the treatment at home patients undergo supervised training, during clinic visits, for up to 5 sessions. At the end of the 5th session, they are asked to fill out a therapy evaluation form (CEQ).

Patients needed on average 2.3 in person training sessions before continuing the intervention remotely. Nine patients completed CEQ. Results show that on average patients thought that this course will be 4.78 (with probability 95% CI 4.74 to 4.82) points successful at raising their level of functioning and thought that their functioning will have increased on average by 37.8% (CI 37.2% to 38.4%) by the end of the study.

Patients needed less than half of planned in person training visits. Most patients felt like they will gain some improvement from this intervention.

No significant relationships.

Depressive disorders are one of the most frequent psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy and they have a negative impact on the quality of life. Depression often requires antidepressant treatment. However, it is often left untreated in people with epilepsy, in part due to fear that antidepressants could cause seizures.

The goal of this study was to do a review and describe the evidence of the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatment for depression in epilepsy.

Review of literature sources were obtained through electronic search in PubMed database with special focus in papers published in the last 5 years.

The existing evidence of the effectiveness of antidepressants in treating depressive symptoms associated with epilepsy is still limited and response rate was highly variable. It is essential first to optimize seizure control and minimize unwanted antiepileptic drug-related side effects. As the first line of treatment you should consider the use of SSRI or IRSN. The improvement in depressive symptoms ranged from 25% to 82% according to the different studies and depending on the antidepressant administered. A review of the literature indicates that the risk of antidepressant-associated seizures is low although some antidepressants such as amoxapine or bupropion are not recommended.

There are few comparative data to support the choice of antidepressant drug or drug class in terms of efficacy or safety for the treatment of people with epilepsy and depression. It would be important to design controlled trials of antidepressants in large cohorts of participants with epilepsy and clinically significant depression.

No significant relationships.

The compassionate use of intranasal esketamine is approved in Spain for treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

The objective of the study is to assess the clinical stability in the medium-term follow-up of patients with TRD after esketamine use.

Descriptive, retrospective and multicenter study carried out in Spain. Patients with TRD who had received esketamine treatment, and for whom there were clinical data of subsequent evolution, were included. The scores on the MADRS and Hamilton scales were changed into scores on the CGI scale according to the studies by Leucht et al. The Student’s t test was performed to assess differences in the CGI.

Eleven patients were included: 72.7% were women and the mean age was 56 (SD: 12.9). The maximum dose of esketamine used was 84mg in 63.7%. The onset of antidepressant action was observed from the 1st dose in 72.6% of the patients. The mean time in treatment was 6.6 months (SD: 2.3) and 90.9% reached remission criteria. After 7.4 months (SD: 3.0) from the end of the treatment, 90.9% remained in remission and without visits to the emergency room or hospitalization for psychiatric reasons. The mean baseline score on the CGI-SI was 5.7 points, at the end of the treatment was 1.2 points and after longitudinal follow-up it was 1. Statistically significant differences were observed (p<0.001) both at the end of the treatment and in the post-esketamine follow-up compared with baseline score.

In our sample, the use of esketamine in TRD shows clinical stability in the medium-term follow-up.

Daniel Hernández has participated in medical meetings and/or received payment for presentations from Otsuka, Lundbeck, Janssen, Angelini, Casen Recordati, and Ferrer.

The prevalence of depression based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) may vary depending on the scoring method.

1) To describe the prevalence of depression in Europe using two PHQ-8 scoring methods. 2) To identify the countries with the highest prevalence according to each method.

Data from 27 countries included in the European Health Survey (EHIS-2) for the year 2014/2015 were used (n=258,888). All participants who completed the PHQ-8 were included. The prevalence of depression and its 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) were calculated overall for the whole of Europe and for each country using a PHQ-8≥10 cut-off point and the PHQ-8 algorithm scoring method. Weights derived from the complex sample design were considered for their calculation.

The overall prevalence of depression for all Europe was lower using the PHQ-8>=10 cut-off point (6.38%, 95%CI 6.24-6.52) than the PHQ-8 algorithm (7.01%, 95%CI, 6.86-7.16). Using the PHQ-8≥10 cut-off point, the highest prevalence was observed in Iceland (10.33%, 95%CI, 9.33-11.32), Luxembourg (9.74%, 95%CI, 8.76-10.72) and Germany (9.24%, 95%CI, 8.82-9.66). Using the PHQ-8 algorithm the highest rates were observed in Hungary (10.99%, 95%CI,10.14-11.84), Portugal (10.63%, 95%CI, 9.96-11.29) and Iceland (9.80%, 95%CI, 8.77-10.83).

There is variability in the prevalence of depression rates in Europe according to the PHQ-8 scoring method. These findings suggest the necessity of identify the method of choice for each country comparing with a gold standard measure (clinical diagnosis). Countries with consistent higher prevalence of depression based on PHQ-8 regardless of scoring method deserve further study.

This work has been funded by CIBERESP (ESP21PI05)

Autonomic arousal is believed to be an underlying reinforcer for problematic gambling behavior. Theories suggests that near-misses (outcomes falling just short of a true win) are structural characteristics affecting emotion and motivation while increasing gambling persistence.

Psychophysiological responses to different outcomes in gambling were investigated in a community-based sample of young adults. Furthermore, sex differences in responses to different gambling outcomes were investigated.

Young adults (n=270) performed a simplified virtual slot machine producing wins, two types of near-misses (before/after payline) and full-misses, with simultaneous measurements of heart rate (HR) and skin conductance responses (SCR). Self-reports of perceived chance of winning, pleasure and motivation to play were given by the participants on each trial.

Near-misses were associated with the largest HR acceleration compared to wins and full-misses, and larger HR deceleration and SCRs compared to full-misses. Differential autonomic and subjective reports were observed for near-misses subtypes, suggesting that near-misses are processed differently depending on their position before or after payline. Females showed larger SCR responses and increased motivation following wins compared to males.

Slot machine gambling outcomes elicit differential physiological and subjective responses in young adults. Specifically, near-misses produce larger autonomic responses compared to regular full-misses. However, near-misses are complex, multifaceted events producing various emotional responses depending on their characterization. Males and females respond differently to wins, highlighting the importance of considering sex differences in experimental research on autonomic responses in gambling.

No significant relationships.

Many studies have shown that gifted children and youth have difficulties in education, emotional regulations, psychological adjustment process etc.

Our aim is to evaluate the adaptive capacity, the functional state of the gifted adolescents’ organism under external potential stressor.

The research has been conducted in schools of Yerevan, RA. The initial sample consisted of 500 high school students aged 16-18. Renzulli’s Three-Ring Conception of Giftedness was used to reveal gifted adolescents. In the course of study 35 of 500 participants were defined as gifted. The quasi-experimental design has been used with 35 participants in the comparison and experiment group each. For comparative analyses, we used Heart rate variability (HRV) method. As a potential stressor, the intellectual workload was selected. The ECG indicators have been recorded for 5 minutes each before and after the intellectual workload. We are presenting the results through Stress Index.

As we can see from the picture 1. the Stress Index (SI) of gifted girls and boys are higher from norm (the norm is 20-100). For control groups, the SI is within the norm. The SI for gifted groups of adolescents significantly higher from those of control groups. The data indicates, that for gifted adolescents the activity of central mechanisms prevails over autonomous mechanisms.

The level of stress in gifted adolescents is higher than that of the control group and rises in case when the task wasn’t solved. High results speak about psycho-emotional tension and stress. Further research is needed to understand the psychological background of such reactions.

No significant relationships.

The phenomenon of burnout generates the most interest due to relation to complete or partial disengagement of emotions, cognitive impairment, impairment of long-term and working memory. The neurophysiological mechanisms of emotional burnout remain insufficiently studied. Data related to gender specific characteristics of burnout formation are contradictory.

To establish the gender related EEG markers of burnout was our aim.

621 volunteers (443 females) aged 18 to 24 years participated in this study. EEG was registered during the resting state (3 min, closed eyes condition). The interhemispheric and intrahemispheric average coherence across all EEG segments in all frequencies from 0.2-45 Hz was estimated. Psychological testing was performed before the registration of EEG. To determine the level of burnout formation the Boyko`s Syndrome of Emotional Burnout Inventory (SEB) was used.

The Resistance phase of emotional burnout was formed in 139 women and 42 men. Development of Resistance stage in female includes formation of new intrahemispheric connections predominantly in the left frontal region (alpha1,2,3-subbands) and the midline frontal-central axis (Fz-Cz, alpha1,2 and theta2-subbands). At the same time new intrahemispheric links in men under Resistance stage development are formed mainly in the right frontal region (alpha1,2,3-subbands).

Connectivity patterns displayed gender-related variations that are associated with the difference in the alterations in the attention focusing, working memory, and emotional processes under burnout formation.

No significant relationships.

Clinical studies demonstrated the efficacy of rTMS treatment in major depressive disorder. However, the results of meta-analyses are contradictory due to the heterogeneity of the included studies.

The aim was to analyse the effectiveness of rTMS for treatment-resistant major depression.

A systematic literature review of English-language articles published in the last 10 years was performed on PubMed and Scopus databases according to PRISMA guideline principles. To assess the effects of rTMS on response and remission rates, random-effects model and inverse variance method were used.

23 randomized double-blind sham-controlled studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis for response (n= 1020 patients) and 12 studies for remission (n= 846 patients). The relative risk for response and remission were 2.19 (95% CI: 1.68-2,86, p=0.000 n=912) and 2.65 (95% CI: 1.32-5,31, p=0.002, n=603), respectively using rTMS as add on treatment (in patients after two antidepressant treatment failures) compared to standard pharmacotherapy. I2analysis showed no considerable heterogeneity in the combined effect sizes neither for remission studies (I2=23.36%) nor for response studies (I2=0.00%).

Transcranial magnetic stimulation became an evidence-based, effective treatment for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, either as a monotherapy or as an augmentation of pharmacotherapy. However, because of the lack of standardized protocol, a substantial methodological heterogeneity exists. According to our results, rTMS was significantly more effective than sham rTMS in both response and remission outcomes, which is consistent with previous meta-analyses, but the effect size was a bit smaller than what was reported previously.

No significant relationships.

Vascular dementia (VaD) accounts for approximately 15% of all cases of dementia. While there are many different definitions of vascular dementia, it is generally understood to refer to “disease with a cognitive impairment resulting from cerebrovascular disease and ischaemic or haemorrhagic brain injury”. Research suggests that 30% of patients with VaD also suffer from depression. The treatment of depression in VaD with pharmacological therapy is relatively well-established, with the first line drug being a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). However, a relatively under-researched area is the use of brain stimulation and neuromodulation therapies for the treatment of depression in VaD.

This review aims to provide a critical analysis on the efficacy and safety of brain stimulation therapies in treating depression in VaD to determine whether it is an appropriate treatment option.

The databases used were PubMed and WebofScience. The available literature was analysed which resulted in three papers which met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised.

In all three studies, depressive symptoms improved after ECT was administered, regardless of the specific tool used to measure the severity of depression. The side effects experienced were also only temporary and resolved independently which speaks to the safety of ECT as a treatment option.

The results of the study prove that ECT is a safe and effective option in treating depression in VaD. However, more research is needed for the medical community to fully understand the different treatment options and say with certainty which is the safest and most effective.

No significant relationships.