MODECT

Research project

The MODECT project (Mood Disorders in Elderly treated with ECT) is a clinical cohort study of severely depressed elderly on the efficacy, safety and potential working mechanisms of ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). MODECT was conducted between 2011 and 2013 and started a follow-up study in 2016.

ECT showed to be very effective of treatment of depression among patients who where diagnosed with a depressive disorder for the first time after the age of 50. The MRI scans done at the time showed that the hippocampus was smaller before treatment and became bigger already after one ECT treatment. To understand these results better, a 5 year follow-up study started in 2016. With the use of a short questionnaire, the researchers want to know how often the patients have experienced a relapse, and also check their memory. Annemiek Dols is P.I. of this project.