Dementia Japan 31:117-124, 2017

Modified electroconvulsive therapy in dementia with Lewy bodies with drug-resistant psychiatric symptoms:a case report

Takeshi Nishida¹⁾, Tsubasa Omi²⁾, Hidenori Matsunaga²⁾

¹⁾Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Osaka General Medical Center
²⁾Department of Psychiatry, Osaka General Medical Center

The patient was a 70-year-old man who was diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) when he was 69 years old.  He had a gait disturbance, which was accompanied by psychological symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions.  His symptoms were improved by pharmacotherapy, however, they gradually exacerbated again.  He thus underwent modified electroconvulsive therapy (mECT) and his psychological and physical symptoms improved.  It is suggested that mECT may be an appropriate therapeutic option for DLB if pharmacotherapy is not effective.

Address correspondence to Dr. Tsubasa Omi, Department of Psychiatry, Osaka General Medical Center (3-1-56 Bandai-higashi, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558-8558, Japan)