Electroconvulsive Therapy in Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Abstract

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that frequently presents with behavioral symptoms including depression. We report here a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in whom electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was highly effective in relieving depressive symptoms. Additionally, ECT had little or no effect on cognition in this patient, even transiently improving her cognitive function. Given its rapid onset of action, ECT may be considered safe and effective in depressive disorders associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.