title: Lack of effect of naloxone on prolactin and seizures in electroconvulsive therapy.
abstract: Both opiate agonist and antagonist injection have been reported to modulate prolactin secretion, alter brain excitability and produce seizures, and modify the postictal state. We studied the effects of administration of high-dose naloxone, an opiate antagonist, on postictal prolactin levels, seizure duration, and postictal behavior, using patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as a seizure model. Seven patients had 8 mg naloxone injected prior to one ECT treatment and saline injected prior to another treatment, with the order of injection randomized. Before ECT and 15 min after ECT, prolactin levels were drawn, and no blunting of the expected postictal prolactin elevation by naloxone injection was observed. We found no evidence that endogenous opiates trigger prolactin secretion during seizures. Seizure duration was also similar in saline and naloxone groups, and naloxone did not reverse postictal depression, as has been reported in an animal model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sperling
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melmed
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012640:Seizures / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009270:Naloxone; D011388:Prolactin