This is a multicenter, prospective, observational study. We will divide the adolescent MDD patients into two groups according to the treatment modality as follows: Group 1 (Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy (MECT), n=60); Group 2 (Non-Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy (Non-MECT), n=60). Patients in group 1 will be treated with MECT according to standard clinical care. Group 2 will receive conventional drug therapy. A healthy control group (n=60) will also be recruited.
The most modern MRI sequences examining brain structure and function are used at 4 time points: at baseline (just before MECT series), the second examination (just after MECT series) and the third and forth (follow-up) examination (3 and 6 months after MECT series). Blood, urine and feces samples and the evaluation of clinical effect and side-effects to MECT are performed at the same time points.
The primary outcome for the treatment phase is the treatment remission rate and response rate. The secondary outcomes included: symptom scale, Quality of life, Sleep therapy, Symptoms of anxiety, Rumination and safety assessment.
