IMMEDIATE INCREASES IN PLASMA PROLACTIN AND NEUROPHYSIN BUT NOT OTHER HORMONES AFTER ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY

Abstract Plasma prolactin, growth hormone, cortisol, luteinising-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), and nicotine and oestrogen stimulated neurophysin (NSN and ESN) were measured before and for 6 min after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in eight women with severe depression. Plasma concentrations of NSN and ESN had increased significantly (as much as 10-fold for NSN) within 1 min of the seizure, and concentrations of prolactin had increased within 2-4 min after the seizure. Whereas plasma prolactin and ESN either continued to increase or remained raised throughout the 6 min after seizure, the concentrations of NSN fell to reach a value at 6 min that was approximately 50% of the maximum. There were no increases in any of the other hormones or peptides within the 6 min period under study. Thus ECT has selective effects on hormone release which cannot be attributed simply to a generalised release of pituitary or hypothalamic hormones in response to brain stimulation and/or stress.