Adrenergic receptors in depression. Effects of electroconvulsive therapy

Platelet alpha 2-and lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor densities, plasma noradrenaline and serum cortisol were measured before, during and one week after a course of EEG-monitored electroconvulsive therapy, in nine depressed patients. A 50% fall in Hamilton Depression Rating scores occurred after a fairly consistent total seizure time, regardless of the amount of ECT given. Platelet alpha 2-adrenoceptor densities showed a statistically significant fall after three ECTs, but were unchanged after the full course of ECT and were independent of clinical change. Lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor densities were unaltered. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations were initially high, and fell with ECT in a manner paralleling clinical recovery. Plasma noradrenaline may be a more useful index of central changes during antidepressant treatment than peripheral blood cell receptor densities.