title: Adrenergic receptors in depression. Effects of electroconvulsive therapy.
abstract: Platelet alpha 2-and lymphocyte beta 2-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 alpha 2-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 beta 2-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.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000032:analysis; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000032:analysis*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000032:analysis; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine