Project Summary

Yuval Bloch, M.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of Shalvata Mental Health Center, notes that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective therapy for both mood and psychotic disorders.  However, there is scarce data on the use of ECT in adolescents, mainly because of the controversial issue of “informed consent”, which has in some cases, resulted in legislation against the use of ECT in this age group. Dr. Block plans to study informed consent for ECT in adolescents by comparing a group of adolescents that received ECT to a group of adults that also received ECT and a group of adults and of adolescents that did not receive this therapy.  Based on these findings, Dr. Block will try to improve the process of consent, and examine its effect.  This research will shed light on informed consent in ECT in adolescents and may contribute to our understanding on informed consent issues in adolescents in general.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Mood Disorders (General)\Children/Adolescent

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