ECT has such a stigma attached to it. Many, including Psychiatrist, still consider it archaic.

I agree Kathleen...why not? Right, NO ONE talks about ECT. Even patients who have received ECT are hesitant to speak of it publicly. The stigma is that pervasive!

For those who don't know much about ECT: Common Questions about ECT Also, Wikipedia on ECT

Abtract summary/Springlink:
Journal of Neural Transmission: Parkinson's Disease and Dementia Section
Volume 10, Numbers 2-3 / June, 1995, Sweden
P. -A. Fall1, R. Ekman3, A. -K. Granérus1, L. -H. Thorell2 and J. Wċlinder2

ECT in Parkinson's disease. Changes in motor symptoms, monoamine metabolites and neuropeptides
Summary Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was given to 16 non-depressed, non-demented patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). In all the patients an antiparkinsonian effect was seen, lasting for 18 months in one patient, 3–5 months in seven patients, and a few days to four weeks in eight patients. After ECT the levels of homovanillic acid and neuropeptide Y in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were significantly increased. The eight patients with long lasting motor improvement after ECT had significantly lower CSF-3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol compared to the group with short lasting improvement.

Five patients developed transitory mental confusion after ECT. In these patients, and in no others, a high albumin-ratio was found already before ECT was given-an indication of blood CSF barrier damage.

Our results suggest that ECT is valuable in patients with drug refractory PD or PD with intolerance to antiparkinsonian drugs.