Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy for Dementia Symptoms
Official title: Longitudinal Associations of Electroconvulsive Therapy with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Geriatric Syndromes, and Nursing Home Admission and Mortality Rates among Adults with Dementia
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11109681 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) might help adults with dementia manage challenging symptoms and improve their long-term well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $376,836 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080647-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109681 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research focuses on adults aged 21 and older who have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and experience severe symptoms like agitation, aggression, or depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, or those not experiencing severe neuropsychiatric symptoms, would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias experience difficult symptoms like agitation, aggression, and depression, and current treatments don't always work well. While non-drug approaches are often tried first, they may not be enough for severe symptoms. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been effective for other mental health conditions, and early findings suggest it could help with severe dementia symptoms. This project will use existing health records to explore the long-term impact of ECT on these symptoms, as well as on daily living abilities, hospital visits, and overall health for adults with dementia. Our goal is to better understand if ECT can offer lasting benefits and improve the lives of those affected.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide clearer information on whether electroconvulsive therapy offers long-term improvements for severe dementia symptoms and overall patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies suggest ECT can be effective for severe dementia symptoms, but its long-term effects on overall health and quality of life are not yet well understood.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rhee, Taeho Gregory — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Rhee, Taeho Gregory
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.