Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry: ECT, DBS, TMS and Other Modalities

Under 150 pages and much smaller than your imagination's eye might have painted it for the price-- cropped to about 5" x 7", feels like 1/5 of a trade paperback. If you're expecting a broad review of all the topics covered in the description, you might be disappointed, as ECT covers 88+ of the 140 or so pages-- about 2/3 of the book. Tiny type adds a bit of content, unless you have difficulty reading mice type.We work with rTMS centers via Brain Technology dot org, and were very interested in his approach to rTMS, especially the newest, groundbreaking work in Autism. Unfortunately, Kellner doesn't cover rTMS in Autism at all. He spends most of the brief rTMS space on depression, the only approved indication. There also are brief sections on rTMS in PTSD, OCD, Tics, Tinnitus, Schizophrenia, Mania, ADHD, Headache, Epilepsy, and Parkinson's. Kellner's bib on rTMS is excellent-- over 80 references to pretty much all the most important papers and research being done, even though very little controlled studies actually are begin done. Given the literal explosion of rTMS clinics (which he acknowledges), more coverage would have been appreciated, but the coverage he does give is topnotch and about all that is out there that's current!We're giving this 5 stars for the niche audience that will really benefit-- clinic managers and technicians. Despite the deep science, Kellner is amazing as an "ops" guy-- even giving minimum room dimensions, equipment lists, counterindications, dangers, reporting requirements, and much more. It is obvious he's not a Monday morning quarterback, all the material (and a lot of fine print) is real world and will benefit the treator and patients, not just the researcher. He spends a LOT of space on drug interactions, patient selection and preparation, adverse effects, etc. which adds to the impression that, even with his copious article citations, at foundation he's talking to treators, including nurses, technicians and lab folks who deal with real patients daily.If you're a student, or just looking for an overview of the field, the price/weight/content ratios might disappoint. If you want a balance of real world techniques with a lot of the most recent research, it's worth your investment. If you run one of these clinics or departments (ECT, DBS, rTMS, MST, VNS, tDCS, EpCS), it's a must have for the department and staff. Now that your size expectations are regulated, if it fits your niche, definitely buy it!

Very Impressed! Clearly written, in English.And did I say clearly written.I've been a Therapist nearly 40 years.

This book is, at it's core, an excellent introduction into the theory and practice of ECT for the practitioner. The author admits that it should be used to complement other, more comprehensive, ECT texts. What this offers, then is a faster, more accessible entree into how to set up an ECT practice and go about the actual work of choosing the right patients who can be helped by ECT. Dr. Kellner, a verified ECT wonk, is clear to point out that ECT should, as should all treatment modalities, be limited to treating patients with diagnoses known to be sensitive to the treatment in question. This approach calls for a more sane, judicious approach to the field of psychiatry, a specialty rife with insecurities about ineffective treatments. Actually, we have become quite good at treating many psychiatric disorders if only careful diagnosis is made and practitioners are thoughtful about their treatment approach. This work by Dr. Kellner and others of his ilk are pragmatic beacons of hope for the new era of psychiatrists.The remainder of the book is a good summary of the available evidence of other much newer methods of brain stimulation. While many of these techniques are not nearly as substantiated as ECT, they also offer hope for some of the most disabling and recalcitrant medical problems faced by modern society. Dr. Kellner offers a measured analysis of these techniques and gives what information is available regarding patient selection.Overall, I would suggest that any psychiatrist interested in ECT should add this book to his or her collection. Without being a tome, this book gives all the practical information you'll need to get up and running and feel confident that you're helping your patients with the most effective treatment available.

When this book arrived, my first reaction was that it was too small and too thin. And then I realised that it simply didn't contain any unnecessary words. Nearly every sentence was worth remembering. The best side is that it gives so much advice for difficult situations that arise all the time but are not usually addressed in other sources. And that is just for ECT. There are chapters on all the other neurostimulation methods, again informative but succinct.