The Brain

In the years I have been researching ECT, I have resisted the idea that ECT causes actual brain damage. It is beyond my comprehension that doctors would knowingly inflict such damage on their patients. But after spending so much time researching the subject, talking with psychiatrists and neurologists, I have changed my opinion. I strongly believe that ECT does in fact cause brain damage.

Dr. Max Fink, grandfather of American ECT, for years contended that ECT works precisely by causing such damage. He was very vocal about this, unashamed, but in recent years has backed off, saying today's ECT does not cause such trauma to the brain. Yet today's ECT is more powerful than the ECT of the 60s.

In public, psychiatrists say that ECT is safe. But what do they say to each other? This survey from the American Psychiatric Association tells a different story.

What does ECT do to the brain? This neurologist asks, "Do we really want to offer brain damage to our patients?"

Do neurologists know something the rest of us haven't yet figured out?

Does ECT cause brain damage? This MD says yes, in an article on ECT and EEGs.

Peter Sterling, Associate Professor of Neurobiology at University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine, gave this testimony last year to the Texas State Legislature. He has studied the effects of ECT for years, and agrees that ECT does harm the brain.

Can ECT permanently harm the brain? This1982 article says it has, and can, cause permanent brain pathology. Cognitive deficits are accepted by the medical community, says this article. What is subject to debate is whether or not those deficits are permanent. The authors examine the issue of permanent brain damage by looking at the similarities in autopsied brains of epileptics and ECT patients, as well as animal studies. The common sense conclusion not accepted by the ECT industry is that the more ECTs, the more permanent brain damage. In fact, say the authors, "the fact that many patients and subjects suffer no demonstrable permanent effects has provided rationale for some authorities to commit the non-sequitur that ECT causes no permanent harm."

Dr. John Friedberg, writing in the American Journal of Psychiatry, takes an in-depth look at the effects of ECT on the brain and questions, "Do we really want to offer brain damage to our patients?"

A lengthy chronology on epilepsy and ECT, something denied by the ECT industry. Yet there are many documented cases of ECT-induced epilepsy.

Psychopathology of Frontal Lobe Syndrome
This article from Seminars in Neurology details frontal lobe syndrome, which many neurologists believe is one of the side effects of ECT. The researcher explains how this injury is often difficult to measure clinically, but how damaging the results are to the person who has it.

Neuroscientist testimony on ECT brain effects
From Dr. Peter Sterling, a neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, this remarkable testimony and review of the available studies on the effects of ECT on the human brain. Analyzing years of data, including private communications with one of the leading researchers of our time on memory loss from ECT (Janis), Sterling strongly concludes that ECT does, in fact, cause organic brain damage, similar to that seen from the results of trauma or toxicity in the brain.

Neuropsychological assesment
This journal article from Dr. Alan E. Brooker, clinical neuropsychologist with the USAF, details the complexities of evaluating the function of the brain. What this shows is how extensive the measurements are when truly understanding how one's brain is working on a day-to-day basis. These are the kinds of tests that should be used in studying the effects of ECT. However, this just isn't done anymore. The earlier studies (most especially of Janis) used these kinds of testing, and showed conclusively the damage that results. Today's memory studies rely mostly on simple memorization of lists, which is not a good indicator of what's really going on.

ECT as head injury?
In a report for the National Head Injury Foundation, the case is made that ECT works by inducing the effects of head injury. This well-researched report highlights the work of many neurologists and psychiatrists who believe this is the mechanism of action of ECT, as well as case reports of patients. Included are some great tips on recovery.

Electroshock: Scientific, ethical and political issues
From Dr. Peter Breggin, this comprehensive article explains how ECT works as head trauma, and goes into the scientific, ethical and political ramifications of the controversial treatment. A Must Read!

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