The effect of conventional electroconvulsive shock (ECS) vs. "brief stimulus therapy" (BST) on memory and nest-building in albino rats.

Abstract

A comparison of the effects of unidirectional square-wave pulses (BST) and conventional ECS showed BST to be less disruptive than ECS on retention of a pre-shock water-maze habit, although both forms of shock produced decrement. There is also less disruption of nest-building performance by BST. "The results give increased weight to the claim that special forms of convulsive stimulation, such as BST, can produce grand mal convulsions without the degree of "harmful side-effects" associated with ECS.