Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-7qhmt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-27T07:26:23.141Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A Neuroendocrine View of ECT

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Stephen J. Cooper
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL
Allan I. F. Scott
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
Lawrence J. Whalley
Affiliation:
Metabolic Unit, Thomas Clouston Clinic, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, 153 Morningside Drive, Edinburgh EH10 5LG

Abstract

“A neuroendocrine hypothesis to explain the clinical activity of convulsive therapy is described. The hypothesis is based on the diabetes/insulin model and suggests that hypothalamic dysfunction with an insuffiency of a mood-maintaining peptide is the basis for affective disorders. Repeated seizures enhance the production and release of the hypothalamic peptide antidepressin – the active principle that relieves both neuroendocrine and behavioral abnormalities.”

Type
The Current Literature
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Carpenter, W. T. & Gruen, P. H. (1978) The limbic–hypothalamic–pituitary system and human behavior. In Handbook of Psychopharmacology (eds L. L. Iversen, S. D. Iversen & S. H. Snyder), vol. 13, pp. 109145. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Charlton, B. G. & Ferrier, I. N. (1989) Hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis abnormalities in depression: a review and a model. Psychological Medicine, 19, 331336.Google Scholar
Coffey, C. E., McCall, W. V., Hoelscher, T. J., et al (1988) Effects of ECT on polysomnagraphic sleep: a prospective investigation. Convulsive Therapy, 4, 269279.Google Scholar
Coryell, W. (1986) Are serial dexamethasone suppression tests useful in electroconvulsive therapy? Journal of Affective Disorders, 10, 5966.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Crow, T. J. & Johnstone, E. C. (1986) Controlled trials of electroconvulsive therapy. In Electroconvulsive Therapy, Clinical and Basic Research Issues (eds S. Malitz & H. A. Sackeim). Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 462, 1229.Google Scholar
Decina, P., Sackeim, H. A., Kahn, D. A., et al (1987) Effects of ECT on the TRH stimulation test. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 12, 2934.Google Scholar
Fink, M., Gujavarty, K. & Greenberg, L. (1987) Serial dexamethasone suppression tests and clinical outcome in ECT. Convulsive Therapy, 3, 111120.Google Scholar
Fink, M. & Nemeroff, (1989) A neuroendocrine view of ECT. Convulsive Therapy, 5, 296304.Google Scholar
Gillies, G. & Grossman, A. (1985) The CRFs and their control: chemistry, physiology and clinical implications. Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 14, 821843.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Katz, M. M., Koslow, S. H., Maas, J. W., et al (1987) The timing, specificity and clinical prediction of tricyclic drug effects in depression. Psychological Medicine, 17, 297309.Google Scholar
Lipman, R. S., Backup, C., Bobrin, Y., et al (1986) Dexamethasone suppression test as a predictor of response to electroconvulsive therapy. 1. Inpatient treatment. Convulsive Therapy, 2, 151160.Google Scholar
Post, R. M., Uhde, T. W., Rubinow, D. R., et al (1987) Differential time course of antidepressant effects after sleep deprivation, ECT and carbamazepine: clinical and theoretical implications. Psychiatry Research, 28, 1119.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scott, A. I. F., Milner, J. B. & Shering, P. A. (1989) Diminished TSH release after a course of ECT: altered monoamine function or seizure activity? Psychoneuroendocrinology, 14, 425431.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Siever, L. J. & Davis, K. L. (1985) Overview: towards a dysregulation hypothesis of depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 142, 10171031.Google Scholar
Valentine, R. J., Foote, S. L. & Aston-Jones, G. (1983) Corticotrophin-releasing factor activates noradrenergic neurones of the locus coeruleus. Brain Research, 270, 363367.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.