Diminished ECT Response in Catatonia Due to Chronic Neurologic Condition

A series of four clinical cases suggests that catatonic disorder due to a chronic neurologic condition does not respond as reliably to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as functional catatonia does. Cases reported in the medical literature show a similar pattern. Presumably this form of catatonia is intrinsically less responsive to ECT, although the possibility remains that a more intense quality of treatment and prophylaxis is needed. Conversely, catatonia resistant to ECT suggests an underlying medical condition.