Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Peripheral Adrenoceptors, Plasma, Noradrenaline, MHPG and Cortisol in Depressed Patients
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BackgroundThe mechanism of the antidepressant action of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains unknown. Based on previous work with antidepressant drugs and their effects on the noradrenergic system, we undertook this study to further determine the effects of ECT on selected indices of peripheral adrenoceptor function in depressed patients.MethodsBinding parameters (Bmaxand Kd) of plateletα2- and leukocyteβ2-adrenoceptors, plasma noradrenaline (NA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (MHPG) and cortisol levels were determined in 18 patients, prior to treatment and 14 days after the last of a series of ECTs, and compared with samples obtained from 18 matched control subjects.ResultsPlateletα2-adrenoceptor sites were significantly elevated in untreated patients compared with controls (P< 0.03), but leukocyteβ2-adrenoceptor numbers did not differ. Treatment with ECT led to a significant reduction in plateletα2-adrenoceptor numbers, whereas leukocyteβ2-adrenoceptor densities increased. Pre-ECT plasma NA, MHPG, and cortisol levels were elevated in patients, compared with controls, and decreased following ECT, but these differences were not statistically significant. Post-ECT plasma NA andβ2-adrenoceptor numbers were significantly, negatively correlated (P< 0.05).ConclusionsThese results suggest that plateletα2-adrenoceptors are supersensitive in depressed patients and treatment with ECT results in down-regulation of these receptors, which may be interpreted as a primary therapeutic, ‘normalising’ effect. The post-ECT changes in leukocyteβ2-adrenoceptors are probably only secondary to the lower circulating plasma NA levels.
