The primary purpose of this study is to use magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure the levels of several brain chemicals including, but not limited to, glutamate, glutamine, and N-acetylaspartate, before and after treatment with ECT. In addition to MRS, the investigators will use several other MRI techniques including structural MRI, resting state functional MRI (fMRI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to measure how the structure and function of the brain changes with ECT. The investigators hypothesize that the Gln/Glu ratio is increased in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), but not the parieto-occipital cortex (POC), following the first ECT treatment.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
No interventions will be used
Gln/Glu ratio following the first ECT treatment
The Gln/Glu ratio is examined in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the parieto-occipital cortex (POC) following the first ECT treatment.
Time frame: Participants will undergo an MR scan within 24 hours of their first ECT treatment
The Gln/Glu ratio following the sixth ECT treatment.
The Gln/Glu ratio is examined in both the ACC and POC following the sixth ECT treatment.
Time frame: Participants will undergo an MR scan within 24 hours of their sixth ECT treatment, which is approximately two weeks after their first ECT treatment
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