title: Electroconvulsive therapy increases circadian amplitude and lowers core body temperature in depressed subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reduced amplitude of the circadian temperature rhythm and elevated nocturnal body temperature normalize after successful pharmacotherapy of major depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Core body temperature was continually monitored in three groups: a) 6 depressed patients before an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) course and b) after an ECT course; and c) 6 healthy, sex-matched controls of similar age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 24-hour profile of temperature was significantly different in patients pre-ECT than in patients post-ECT or in controls. Post-ECT subjects and controls manifested 24-hour profiles similar to one another. Circadian temperature rhythm amplitude increased after ECT. The mean asleep and mean 24-hour temperatures were significantly higher in patients pre-ECT than post-ECT and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We find that ECT restores a disrupted circadian temperature rhythm in depressed patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Mood and Anxiety Disorders, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Szuba
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Guze
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Baxter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales