Treatment of Mania in Dementia With Electroconvulsive Therapy

Symptoms of mania have been given inadequate attention as a source of agitated behavior in the dementia patient. Characterized by elevation in mood or grandiosity, pressured speech, and impulsivity, mania is common among the elderly population, with a prevalence approaching 20% in some studies. Because it is so highly associated with behavioral agitation, mania has a significant impact on patient management, and can often lead to the institutionalization of difficult patients. Here we present a case series of three elderly individuals who had signs of mania in conjunction with dementia. Refractory to psychotropic medications, all were given an acute plus maintenance course of right-unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The patients achieved significant improvement in signs of mania and agitation, as well as in mental status scores. We conclude that a short course of ECT, followed by maintenance treatments every 2 weeks, can contribute significantly to the management of dementia patients whose behavioral agitation is associated with signs of mania.