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Prolactin Levels after Bilateral and Unilateral ECT

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Conrad Swartz  and
Richard Abrams
Conrad Swartz
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, U.S.A.
Richard Abrams
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, U.S.A.
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Summary

Serial post-ictal serum prolactin levels were obtained over a period of one hour after bilateral or unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in six patients. Bilateral ECT yielded significantly higher mean post-ictal prolactin levels than unilateral ECT at the 15,20,30 and 60 minute sampling times. These findings demonstrate a greater hypothalamic-stimulating effect of bilateral than unilateral ECT, and may explain the reported therapeutic advantage of bilateral over unilateral ECT in the treatment of patients with melancholia.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 144 , Issue 6 , June 1984 , pp. 643 - 645
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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