1. Electric Shock Therapy
Good or bad?
Katie Robinson

2. History Traces back to Hippocrates
Malaria-induced convulsions cure the insane
Convulsions and insanity cannot coexist

3. Julius Wagner-Jauregg
Austria

4. 1917 Noticed patients that survive high fevers become more sane
Injected 9 chronic paresis patients with malaria
Four completely recovered, two improved

5. Performed complicated treatment on 275 people at risk for paresis
83% of people did not develop paresis
Awarded Nobel Prize in 1927 for his work

6. Manfred J. Sakel
Berlin, Germany

7. 1927
Working as an internist at Lichterfelde Hospital for Mental Diseases
Injected morphine addict with insulin
Caused an artificial coma – showed improvement mentally

8. Overdose of insulin cause convulsions
Improved technique became “Sakel’s Technique”
Significant for psychiatry – first effective treatment for schizophrenia

9. Survey - 1939 American Psychiatric Association
1757 schizophrenic patients

10. Pennsylvania Hospital performed survey
63% improved immediately
42% improved within two years
More studies found results were temporary

11. Ladislaus von Meduna
Budapest

12. 1933 Unaware of Sakel’s discoveries Experimented on animals first
Metrazol induced convulsions

13. 110 people – 50% improved, some cured
Violent seizures – spine fractures in 42% of
patients

14. Ugo Cerletti

15. Previously studied epileptics
Worked with Lucio Bini and L. B. Kalinowski
Tested electric shocks on mice

16. Vast improvement in patients
10-20 shocks on alternating days
Caused memory loss and distorted memory
of shock

17. 1970’s
Used on unruly patients
Unstrapped and unmedicated

18. Now

19. General anesthesia and muscle relaxers
Typical number of shocks: 6-12
Electrodes place on the head

20. Side effects Memory loss – short & long term
Studies shown memories can be retrieved
Some patients still have memory loss

21. Study in July 2007 – some cognitive problems
Concerns about effects on brain structure
Inconclusive studies

22. Who have received electric shock therapy
Famous people
Who have received electric shock therapy
Ernest Hemingway (writer)– committed suicide
Silvia Path (poet) – committed suicide
Robert Lowell (poet)
Lou Reed (rock star)