decreasing assaultive behavior.PRESCRIPTION REQUIRED
Although a prescription is required, CES can be used safely and conveniently in the home,
without professional supervision. It can be used adjunctively with most other treatments.
SIDE EFFECTS
Experts (Brown et al II) caution against the use of CES in pregnancy. Lactation seems not to be an
issue. Differential effects on children remain to be tested. Persons with bipolar disorder need to
be cautious, since use of CES could worsen the condition, as can also occur with other
antidepressants. At a minimum, a mood stabilizer should be considered.
The lack of drug interactions, low incidence of side effects and suggestive findings in small
studies require additional research attention and counsel responsible consumer use as the data
are being developed.
RESEARCH NEEDED
MHA encourages additional research to determine whether the promise of CES can be fulfilled,
without the serious side effects of large-current ECT, Transcranial Electrostimulation (“TES”) or
deep brain stimulation (higher-intensity forms of brain stimulation, not discussed in this outline).
Future studies should target an understanding of the mechanisms or neurophysiology of both
DC and AC methods of neuromodulation, as well as results for a broad range of mental health
conditions, particularly depression, since most past studies of depression have been small and
generally not double-blind. Efficacy with bipolar disorder has not been studied at all, although
the anecdotal evidence is positive. A large number of suggested uses remain to be explored.
CONCLUSION
Promising, but not yet proven. But given minimal side effects, experimentation with CES is a
reasonable choice if other treatments prove ineffective or are poorly tolerated.