Combined catecholamine and indoleamine depletion following response to ECT.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
The mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating major depression is unknown. We studied two candidate mechanisms through inhibiting simultaneously the synthesis of noradrenaline and serotonin in patients immediately after successful treatment with ECT using a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover design. There were no significant changes in depression scores under any experimental conditions, or between the amine-depleted and placebo groups despite reductions of 61% in serum homovanillic acid, 47% in 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyenylethyleneglycol, and 89% in serum tryptophan. Catecholamine and serotonin availability may not be necessary for maintaining the initial antidepressant response to ECT.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Cassidy, F; Weiner, RD; Cooper, TB; Carroll, BJ
Published Date
- June 2010
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 196 / 6
Start / End Page
- 493 - 494
PubMed ID
- 20513863
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1472-1465
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1192/bjp.bp.109.070573
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England