Depression, Eye Blink Rate, Psychomotor Retardation, and Electroconvulsive Therapy-Enhanced Dopamine Receptor Sensitivity.
The effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and antidepressant drugs on eye blink rates and on a measure of psychomotor retardation was compared in two samples of neuroleptic-free subjects suffering from DSM III major depression and matched on admission by Hamilton and psychomotor retardation scores. Both treatments caused a significant change in eye blink and psychomotor retardation measures. There was no significant difference between treatment groups, although the ECT-treated subjects included those with the largest eye-blink increases. There was no correlation between Hamilton scores and eye blink rates or psychomotor retardation scores for any of the groups or stages of treatment.
Berrios
G. E.
GE
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge/Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, England.
Canagasabey
A. F. B.
AF