http://exhibits.library.stonybrook.edu/mfp/files/original/4d15bf9b3e0708a93a07758833905117.pdf 6aa449175d10c611d38bdb02c7ce4e8b PDF Text Text . wow-pv- , w—m “we—“rm.“ “unwan-ntv WWI-“1”,”. —A'rI.-‘ February 6, 1979 Barry Maletzky, M.D. Portland, Oregon 97202 Dear Dr. Maletzky, Your letter of inquiry relating to our experience with the MECTA and with MMECT was referred to me fbemreply. As you know, I visited Paul Blachly in Oregon in 1968 and undertook a series of confirming studies of MEOT. The publications relate our experience, which was not good. In 1976, we purchased a MECTA instrument. In our initial treatments, we were unable to achieve a grand mal seizure using maximum current intensity and settings. We called the manufacturer, returned the instrument as he requested, and it was returned to us, with the assurance that a faulty part had been replaced. We again attempted to induce seizures and could do so at the maximum settings. When we attempted to use unilateral electrodes, we were unable to achieve the higher currents needed for such inductions. Gradually, the therapists replaced the instrument and when it was no longer useful, it was shelved, where it remains today. In the review of which was undertaken by the MECT (among other modifications of ECT) Task Force on Convulsive Therapy, we were unable to find systematic data which would assure us that this modification was safe or more effective than routine ECT, expecially with unilateral APA electrode placements. Our conclusions are cited in the Task Force report, #lh of the APA reports, dated November, 1978. In my own review of ECT, which is in press and which will be available by the end of the month, I come to the same conclusion, that fllfll indications for MECT are unclear, and further study is necessary before its role in treatment is defined." In that statement, I am being kinder than my real feelings, which are that MECT the little Justification except as a research tool. acquainted with your very interesting report on the outcome in ECT, as published in the issue of Comprehensive Psychiatry. I have cited the report in I am relation of deizure duration to latest �MuetZky, wv. BoMo Coco-ell... FGbrum 6, 1979 ocean-000.co- page 2 review, and find your conclusions most useful. The possibility of a therapeutic window for ECT is an important concept, and is consistent with the experiences reported from my laboratory by M. A. Green, who found that the duration of seizures changed with treatment,and that thresholds usually fuse. But we were unable to define a ’window', my but then we didn't have the concept. With regard to the MECTA, there is need for better ECT, and perhaps the unidirectional brief stimulus approach recommended by Lieberson in the 1950's and lately by Weaver is the way to go. But there seem to be inherent faults in the MECTA that instrumentation for . will be useful in the clinic. Similarly, the efficacy and applicability of MMECT is so far from demonstrated, that a text as to how it should be applied clinically may be premature. need remedying before the instrument window' in ECT. I look forward to your next report ‘ on the 'therapeutic Sincerely yours, Max Fink, M.D. VWGW’ w Citations: R. Abrams. What have we McGaugh, J. and MECT: learned 2 in Fink, M., Katy, 8., Williams, T. (Eds.): Psyyhobiology of Convulsive Therapy, Washington, V.H. Winston, 197h. T9-8h. M.Fink. - Convulsive Therapy: Theory,and Practice. 306 pp.. 1979. New York, Raven Press, M. Clinical experience with multiple electroconvulsive treatments. gggprehensive Psychiatry 1;: 115—121, 1972. Abrams, R. and Fink, � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. 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Title A name given to the resource Correspondence to: Maletzky, Barry Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context mfp-05-00-029-5-172 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1979 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource <a title="Fink, Max, 1923-" href="http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79039548" target="_blank">Fink, Max, 1923-</a> Subject The topic of the resource Correspondence -- Correspondence Relation A related resource The Max Fink Collection Description An account of the resource Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a title="IN COPYRIGHT - EDUCATIONAL USE PERMITTED" href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/" target="_blank">IN COPYRIGHT - EDUCATIONAL USE PERMITTED</a> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries. 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