The effect of electroconvulsive therapy on endorphins in depression.
The time course study of the endorphin response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was carried out in 10 patients (including one control who did not receive active ECT) at the first and sixth ECT. Results showed a significant rise of plasma endorphin levels after ECT. This increase returned to the pre-ECT level within 1 hr after ECT. There was a pre-rise of plasma endorphin level, which probably was stress related and which was also observed in the control case.
Ghadirian
A M
AM
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Gianoulakis
C
C
Nair
N P
NP
D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D001615:beta-Endorphin