Harold A. Sackeim
Encyclopedia
Dr. Harold A. Sackeim is an American
psychologist
and proponent of electroconvulsive therapy
, (ECT). He has been chief of the department of biological psychiatry
at New York State Psychiatric Institute and professor
of clinical psychology at Columbia University
. From Columbia he received his Bachelor's degree in 1972; in 1974, he received his Master's degree from Oxford University.
Sackeim is co-author of more than 200 publications relating to electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT) and has researched it extensively, finding that excessive shock current correlates with risk of memory loss.
In 2007 Sackeim and his colleagues published (in the journal 'Neuropsychopharmacology') the results of a study which followed 250 ECT patients in New York City
hospitals. The study found that the most commonly used type of ECT, bilateral, does cause permanent memory loss, as patients have long complained, and results in mental impairment, especially in women and elderly patients.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
and proponent of electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy , formerly known as electroshock, is a psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in anesthetized patients for therapeutic effect. Its mode of action is unknown...
, (ECT). He has been chief of the department of biological psychiatry
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
at New York State Psychiatric Institute and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of clinical psychology at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. From Columbia he received his Bachelor's degree in 1972; in 1974, he received his Master's degree from Oxford University.
Sackeim is co-author of more than 200 publications relating to electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy , formerly known as electroshock, is a psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in anesthetized patients for therapeutic effect. Its mode of action is unknown...
(ECT) and has researched it extensively, finding that excessive shock current correlates with risk of memory loss.
In 2007 Sackeim and his colleagues published (in the journal 'Neuropsychopharmacology') the results of a study which followed 250 ECT patients in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
hospitals. The study found that the most commonly used type of ECT, bilateral, does cause permanent memory loss, as patients have long complained, and results in mental impairment, especially in women and elderly patients.