Age at menarche in Sardinia, as elsewhere, has declined over the past decades. It was strongly associated with age at onset of bipolar and anxiety, as well as major depressive disorders across the age range, suggesting sustained effects of biological maturational factors.

synopsisElectro-convulsive treatment (ECT) was therapeutically ineffective in 27 (20 %) of 136 depressed patients. Failure to respond occurred in long-lasting depressions and in patients with a history of long-lasting depressions. In these cases the depression lasted at least 6 months. The hypothesis is proposed that ECT is effective only when given within 6 months of the spontaneous end of the depression. Clinical and nosological implications are discussed.

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