At Ace Therapeutics, we provide comprehensive preclinical contract research services for the development of therapies for psychiatric disorders. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), as part of a comprehensive approach to psychiatric disorders, is one of our key areas of focus. Our mission is to help our clients develop safe, effective, and innovative treatments for psychiatric disorders.

Introduction of Electroconvulsive Therapy

ECT stands out as a treatment capable of conducting an electric current through the brain to produce a stimulus and trigger a generalized convulsive activity with therapeutic effects. Mechanisms of action include neurobiological alterations as well as endocrine and immune changes that occur after ECT. During the last decades, the use of ECT has had a crucial role in the treatment of severe affective disorders, such as refractory major depression, refractory bipolar disorder, and refractory schizophrenia. More recently, clinical evidence has also been reported in other serious psychiatric pathologies with diverse physiopathological mechanisms, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), malignant neuroleptic syndrome (MNS), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research into the mechanism of action of ECT and the implementation of targeted therapies may help to overcome these issues, improve efficacy, and reduce side effects.

Fig. 1 ECT immunologic effects. (Rojas, M. et al., 2022)

What Can We Offer in Electroconvulsive Therapy Development?

• Research on the molecular mechanism of ECT

The neuroendocrine-immunologic mechanisms of ECT are physiopathologic components and therapeutic targets of various psychiatric disorders that may contribute to its efficacy. Despite the ample evidence supporting ECT's effectiveness in treating psychiatric disorders, these mechanisms are not yet fully understood, which limits the development of more effective ECT therapies. Ace Therapeutics applies our knowledge of the physiology of psychiatric disorders, along with animal models and in vitro experiments, to assist our clients in gaining a deeper understanding of the effects of ECT on psychiatric disorders, providing insights ranging from molecular mechanisms to clinical evidence. Our research includes:

• The multiple effector model of ECT on immunity, endocrinology, and neurobiology.
• The role of ECT in the regulation of multiple neurotransmitter activities in the CNS and how it promotes neurogenesis and regular neuronal interconnections.
• Positive effects of ECT on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes and how it modulates the inflammatory response through cytokine release and microglia activation.

Our objective is to assist our clients in developing enhanced and innovative ECT therapies by promoting potential synergies in terms of their mechanisms as versatile and effective treatments for managing these diseases.

• Development and improvement of preclinical ECT therapies

We use animal models and in vitro experiments to determine the effects of electrode position, pulse amplitude, duration, use of anesthetics and muscle relaxants, session frequency, and the use of adjunctive medications on the efficacy of ECT during an ECT session. Our experienced specialists will help our clients to develop different variants of ECT according to the type of disease and in conjunction with the results of animal experiments, to determine the optimal key parameters and frequency of sessions, and to provide valuable advice and references for the clinical use of ECT.

• Combination therapy development and evaluation

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is frequently used as a therapeutic option for neuropsychiatric disorders in conjunction with drug or other adjunctive therapies. Ace Therapeutics's skilled researchers employ state-of-the-art screening platforms and methodologies to assist clients in tailoring promising potential combination drug therapies for ECT. The safety and efficacy of combination therapies can be thoroughly assessed through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Furthermore, we can optimize the combination ratios, dosing regimens, and treatment strategies based on the evaluation results to achieve the best therapeutic outcomes.

Advantages of Our ECT Development Services

• Our team of experts provides customized solutions and comprehensive assessments to ensure accurate and reliable results.
• Advanced molecular biology methods, imaging techniques, and electroencephalography can identify and quantify cortical metabolic changes and pathway targets induced by different ECT phases, providing valuable insights for mechanism of action studies.
• Validated animal models of psychiatric disorders are useful for assessing the effectiveness of ECT interventions, quantifying treatment outcomes, and evaluating behavioral, cognitive, and neurochemical changes.
• Comprehensive data analysis and reporting services provide you with clear, concise, and scientifically rigorous reports on the results of your ECT development studies.

By utilizing our comprehensive ECT development services, you can accelerate the process of developing innovative therapies in psychiatry. At Ace Therapeutics, we are committed to utilizing our expertise to contribute to the future of psychiatric therapies. Please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Rojas, M.; et al. Electroconvulsive Therapy in Psychiatric Disorders: A Narrative Review Exploring Neuroendocrine-Immune Therapeutic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23.13 (2022): 6918.