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Adrenergic Receptors in Depression

Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Stephen J. Cooper ,
John G. Kelly  and
David J. King
Stephen J. Cooper*
Affiliation:
Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Whitla Medical Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL
John G. Kelly
Affiliation:
Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Whitla Medical Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL
David J. King
Affiliation:
Holywell Hospital, Antrim, and Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, The Queen's University of Belfast
*
∗Correspondence
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Summary

Platelet α2-and lymphocyte ß2-adrenoceptor densities, plasma noradrenaline and serum Cortisol were measured before, during and one week after a course of EEG-monitored electroconvulsive therapy, in nine depressed patients. A 50% fall in Hamilton Depression Rating scores occurred after a fairly consistent total seizure time, regardless of the amount of ECT given. Platelet α2-adrenoceptor densities showed a statistically significant fall after three ECTs, but were unchanged after the full course of ECT and were independent of clinical change. Lymphocyte ß2-adrenoceptor densities were unaltered. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations were initially high, and fell with ECT in a manner paralleling clinical recovery. Plasma noradrenaline may be a more useful index of central changes during antidepressant treatment than peripheral blood cell receptor densities.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 147 , Issue 1 , July 1985 , pp. 23 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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