title: Effects of electroconvulsive therapy on the CRH-ACTH-cortisol system in melancholic depression: preliminary findings.
abstract: Hypercortisolism is one of the most consistent biological abnormalities seen in patients with major depression, particularly the melancholic subtype. We present preliminary data regarding the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on urinary-free cortisol (UFC) excretion and on the secretion of its principal regulatory hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with major depression. Our preliminary results indicate that, while acute elevations in UFC may occur with the initiation of ECT or other antidepressant treatments, successful treatment with ECT is associated with a reduction in both UFC excretion and the diurnal pattern of CSF immunoreactive CRH levels. These findings are compatible with data in experimental animals that show reductions in hypothalamic CRH expression and pituitary-adrenal function with long-term antidepressant treatments.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neuroendocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kling
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Geracioti
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Licinio
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Michelson
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Oldfield
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone