Electroconvulsive therapy combined with lithium developed reversible pure anomic aphasia: a case report

• Published in: BMC psychiatry Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 1 - 663
• Main Authors: Yang, Qian, Cheng, Xiaofei, Su, Zhewei, Sun, Linyuan, Li, Mingli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central Ltd 27.10.2022; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Aphasia; Bipolar disorder; Blood pressure; Care and treatment; Case Report; Case reports; Case studies; Causes of; Cognitive ability; Combined modality therapy; Comorbidity; Complications and side effects; Consciousness; Delirium; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Electroconvulsive therapy; Hypertension; Lithium; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mental depression; Mental health; Patients; Psychiatry; Pure anomic aphasia; China
• ISSN: 1471-244X; 1471-244X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04323-1

Abstract Background Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) combined with mood stabilizers is an effective method of treatment for manic episodes; however, there are controversial views on its side effects. Case presentation A 53-year-old man was diagnosed with bipolar disorder during a manic episode, and had previous conditions such as hypertension, and diabetes. He developed reversible delirium and anomic aphasia during combined treatment with lithium and ECT (Li-ECT). No other neurological symptoms or signs happened during the one-month follow-up period. Conclusions The anomic aphasia appeared after ECT was reversible. Li-ECT should be administered with caution to middle- and older-aged patients with comorbidities, and serum Li levels should be closely monitored during the treatment period.