Martin B A, Jacobsen P M
Can J Psychiatry. 1986 Jun;31(5):381-6. doi: 10.1177/070674378603100501.
The issue of whether electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) causes brain damage was examined by the Supreme Court of Ontario when an involuntarily hospitalized patient attempted to overturn a treatment order for ECT made by a review board. The Ontario Mental Health Act (MHA) specifically prohibits the authorization of psychosurgery by a review board. In this case, the patient argued that the board had exceeded its jurisdiction in authorizing ECT because ECT fell within the definition of psychosurgery in the Ontario MHA. This paper reviews the legal issues involved and summarizes the most substantive evidence presented for and against any causal association between ECT and demonstrable brain damage. The judicial decision upholding the treatment order is discussed.
安大略省最高法院审查了电休克疗法（ECT）是否会导致脑损伤这一问题，当时一名非自愿住院患者试图推翻审查委员会作出的ECT治疗令。《安大略省精神健康法》（MHA）明确禁止审查委员会批准精神外科手术。在本案中，患者辩称，委员会批准ECT超出了其管辖权，因为ECT属于《安大略省精神健康法》中精神外科手术的定义范围。本文回顾了所涉及的法律问题，并总结了支持和反对ECT与明显脑损伤之间存在因果关联的最实质性证据。文中还讨论了维持治疗令的司法判决。
