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The Effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy on CSF Amine Metabolites in Schizophrenic Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

S. J. Cooper ,
W. Leahey ,
D. F. Green  and
D. J. King
S. J. Cooper*
Affiliation:
Holywell Hospital, Belfast
W. Leahey
Affiliation:
Holywell Hospital, Belfast
D. F. Green
Affiliation:
Holywell Hospital, Belfast
D. J. King
Affiliation:
Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, The Queen's University of Belfast
*
Department of Mental Health, The Queen's Usniversity of Belfast, Whitla Medical Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL
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Abstract

The effects of a series of six ECT treatments were observed on the CSF concentrations of HVA, MHPG, and 5-HIAA in 12 patients suffering from schizophrenia. Four patients were previously neuroleptic drug-free, and eight had received only oral neuroleptic drugs at the same dose for more than 4 weeks. A significant increase in the concentration of HVA was observed after the first ECT treatment but not after the final treatment. No significant changes were observed in the concentrations of MHPG and 5-HIAA. The patients improved clinically, and the results suggest that ECT has important effects on dopaminergic systems.

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Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 152 , Issue 1 , January 1988 , pp. 59 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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