Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST)

MST is a novel therapeutic intervention [1] combining the efficacy of ECT with the minimal cognitive side effect profile of rTMS. Unlike ECT, the seizure is a focussed seizure, the target being the part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. There is little spread of the seizure to deeper brain structures and the areas involved in memory are not affected.

The patient is given a general anaesthetic and a muscle relaxant in a hospital environment. A high strength magnetic field is used. Recovery time for MST is shorter than for ECT and there is less confusion following it. Response rates vary between 40-70% and remission rates 15-46%.

Study sizes to date have been small. Larger sample sizes are required to definitively demonstrate therapeutic equivalence between MST and ECT. There is very little data supporting its use as yet. Currently, there are only a few study centres worldwide providing MST [2].

Click here for references