Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2026

An Optimized Evans Blue Protocol to Assess Vascular Leak in the Mouse
Published on: September 12, 2018
Blood concentrations of vasopressin, neuropeptide FF and prolactin are increased by high-dose right unilateral ECT
D M Sundblom1, P Heikman, H Naukkarinen
1Minerva Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland. sundblom@helsinki.fi
Abstract:
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is known to stimulate subcortical brain regions and release hormones from the anterior and the posterior pituitary. To enhance the subcortical effect of ECT and the neuroendocrinological response we used high dose right unilateral ECT (RUL-ECT) in 11 depressive patients and studied its effect on the release of vasopressin, prolactin and neuropeptide FF. The RUL ECT stimulus for all studied patients was 5 times the individual seizure threshold and it led to immediate release of vasopressin in all studied patients. The release of prolactin was less uniform however in accordance with results from earlier studies. The ECT also stimulated a NPFF secretion peak that came approximately 5 min after ECT stimulus and preceded the prolactin peak. The maximal elevations in circulating vasopressin and prolactin concentrations were 680% and 950%, respectively. The neuropeptide FF concentration increased by 100% after ECT. There was a second rise in NPFF concentration at 25 min after the ECT treatment. The increases in all peptide concentrations were significant, but were not correlated with each other. The neuropeptide FF concentration returned to baseline level at 10 min and the vasopressin concentration at 25 min after ECT. The prolactin concentration remained increased during the 30 min follow up period. Our results complete earlier finding on ECT stimulated vasopressin and prolactin release and show that high intensity RUL-ECT releases neuropeptide FF into human blood. The modest rise of circulating NFFF most likely represents leakage from the CNS.
More Related Videos
09:12Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding
Published on: November 14, 2018
08:44Continuous IV Infusion is the Choice Treatment Route for Arginine-vasopressin Receptor Blocker Conivaptan in Mice to Study Stroke-evoked Brain Edema
Published on: September 1, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that enhance and extend the sympathetic or "fight or flight" physiological response. These hormones escalate heart rate and the force of contraction while...
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Hormonal Regulation
Drug Distribution: Plasma Protein Binding
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Tubular Secretion