Smooth pursuit eye movement abnormality in severe major depression: effects of ECT and clinical recovery
Abstract
Smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) dysfunction is a putative genetic marker for schizophrenia, but it has also been described in major depression. The authors longitudinally evaluated effects of clinical state on SPEM quality in patients with depression. Prior to ECT, SPEM abnormality characterized 42% of 24 severely depressed patients, 60% of 30 schizophrenia patients, and 5% of 20 control subjects. SPEM was significantly correlated to Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores (r = 0.49, P = 0.02) in the depressed patients. Although SPEM was transiently disrupted by an acute ECT treatment, it improved during the treatment course. This improvement of SPEM quality with clinical recovery suggests that SPEM abnormality may be a state marker in severe major depression, in contrast to its invariable trait nature in schizophrenia.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).