Urine catecholamine levels are not influenced by electroconvulsive therapy in depression or schizophrenia over the long term

Abstract

Aim: Change in catecholamine seems to be associated with not only effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), but also adverse events associated with ECT. Our aim in this study was to investigate whether or not ECT influences the concentration of catecholamine over the long term. Patients with a major depressive episode or schizophrenia, diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, who were newly admitted to Juntendo University Hospital to receive ECT, were recruited.Methods: Urine was collected during the 24 h before the first ECT treatment, during the 24 h after the first ECT treatment, during the 24 h after the final ECT treatment and during the 24 h 1 week after the final ECT treatment. Heart rate, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale were assessed before and after ECT.Results: Twenty-four patients were included in the final sample, which consisted of 14 patients with major depressive episodes and 10 patients with schizophrenia. Abnormal electrocardiograms were indicated in four patients with depression during the ECT operation but all recovered naturally. There were no significant differences in the levels of dopamine, adrenaline or noradrenaline the day before the first ECT, a day after the first ECT, a day after the final ECT and a week after the final ECT. Conclusion:These results suggest that ECT does not alter urine catecholamine levels after ECT over the long term. Further studies will be required to confirm these findings in a larger sample of patients.

Functional Neuroimaging Changes Subsequent to Electroconvulsive Therapy in Unipolar Depression

“…However, the results of Saijo et al 16 showed that no significant differences were observed in 5-HT 1A receptor binding before and after ECT, a result that challenges the hypothesis that ECT may enhance the transmission of serotonin. A biochemical study conducted by Ito et al 48 , which showed no significant differences in dopamine levels 1 week after a course of ECT, also supports this view. 46 This result also suggests that ECT may not act by enhancing dopamine neurotransmission, as antidepressant drugs are thought to do.…”

Cardiovascular Effects of High-Frequency Magnetic Seizure Therapy Compared With Electroconvulsive Therapy

“…Different neural networks may be activated depending on the seizure propagation. 42 Today, there are no studies available to examine the effects of MST on catecholamines. Compared with ECT, MST is believed to only stimulate focal superficial cerebral cortex, 37 and it may induce a generalized seizure through anatomical links and functional connections, which is less likely to affect locus coeruleus in the deep brain area.…”

“…Therefore, ECT may cause a short-term rise in catecholamine and which diminishes over 24 hours. Different neural networks may be activated depending on the seizure propagation 42 . Today, there are no studies available to examine the effects of MST on catecholamines.…”

Tako-Tsubo-Kardiomyopathie während einer EKT-Serie: Fallbericht, systematische Literaturrecherche und Diskussion spezifischer Risikofaktoren

“…Ein direkter Einfluss der EKT über eine vermehrte Freisetzung von Katecholaminen konnte bisher nicht nachgewiesen werden [51]. Kelly und Cooper [52] berichteten sogar von einer Abnahme des Noradrenalinspiegels bei depressiven Patienten, wobei die Abnahme des Spiegels mit der klinischen Verbesserung assoziiert war.…”