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Effect of ECT on the Neuroendocrine Response to Apomorphine in Severely Depressed Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Janice E. Christie ,
L. J. Whalley ,
N. S. Brown  and
H. Dick
Janice E. Christie
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Thomas Clouston Clinic, 153 Morningside Drive, Edinburgh
L. J. Whalley
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Thomas Clouston Clinic
N. S. Brown
Affiliation:
Immunoassay Section, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh
H. Dick
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, University Department of Pharmacology, 1 George Square, Edinburgh
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Summary

Animal studies have suggested that the mechanism of the antidepressant action of ECT may be to increase monoaminergic post-synaptic receptor sensitivity. We have tested this hypothesis in 12 drug-free patients suffering from severe depression, 11 of whom had depressive delusions. The responses of growth hormone, prolactin and Cortisol to 0.75 mg subcutaneous apomorphine were examined before and after a successful course of ECT. There were no significant differences between hormonal measurements on the two occasions, with the exception that basal plasma Cortisol concentrations were significantly lower following ECT and recovery from depressive illness. These results do not support the hypothesis that ECT increases dopaminergic post-synaptic receptor sensitivity.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 140 , Issue 3 , March 1982 , pp. 268 - 273
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1982 

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