title: Is serotonergic function associated with the antidepressant effects of modified-electroconvulsive therapy?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of modified-electroconvulsive therapy (m-ECT) on central serotonergic function has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of the present study is to investigate this effect via the neuroendocrine challenge test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen inpatients (9 men and 7 women) with major depressive disorder who were receiving m-ECT at our university hospital were recruited. A neuroendocrine challenge test to estimate central serotonergic function was performed both before and after m-ECT treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the whole, depressive symptoms significantly improved, but the improvement was not associated with changes in serotonergic function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study was open-labeled and performed with a small number of subjects and no control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serotonergic function may not be associated with the antidepressant effects of ECT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Idaigaoka 1-1, Hasamamachi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan. goto@oita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shinjiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Terao
authors.forename: Nobuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hoaki
authors.forename: Yumei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kounosuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuchiyama
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kohno
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone