Approximately one-third of patients with Huntington’s disease (HD) experience depression. In 21 published case reports where electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was used to treat depression in patients with HD, 20 reported positive results from the therapy. No side effects were reported in these cases.

References:

1. Strassler D. Electroconvulsive Therapy May Benefit Patients With Huntington’s Disease. NeurologyAdvisor website. Published June 19, 2017. http://www.neurologyadvisor.com/movement-disorders/treating-psychiatric-symptoms-in-huntingtons-disease-electroconvulsive-therapy/article/669595/. Accessed July 16, 2017.

2. Perrin JS, Merz S, Bennett DM, et al. Electroconvulsive therapy reduces frontal cortical connectivity in severe depressive disorder. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109:5464-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3325678/

3. Radke J. Is ECT a Good Treatment Option for Huntington’s Disease Patients? RareDiseaseReport website. Published June 20, 2017. http://www.raredr.com/news/ect-huntingtons. Accessed July 16, 2017.