title: Neuroendocrine effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
abstract: Reliable observation of ECT-induced hormone release requires that other processes that affect hormone levels remain constant and not obscure it. This article reviews principles and pitfalls in making such observations. Clinical applicability and limitations of measurements of prolactin, cortisol, oxytocin, vasopressin, and other hormones are described. Applications include elucidation of ECT physiology and seizure quality, comparison of ECT techniques, and description of illness severity. Accounting for each of these different effects can be needed to characterize any of them. An important but unrealized application of neuroendocrine measurement is prediction of the stability of individual ECT response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical Center, TN 37884, USA.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Swartz
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010121:Oxytocin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone