Related Experiment Videos
Electroconvulsive therapy increases circadian amplitude and lowers core body temperature in depressed subjects
M P Szuba1, B H Guze, L R Baxter
1Division of Mood and Anxiety Disorders, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
Background:
Reduced amplitude of the circadian temperature rhythm and elevated nocturnal body temperature normalize after successful pharmacotherapy of major depression.
Methods:
Core body temperature was continually monitored in three groups: a) 6 depressed patients before an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) course and b) after an ECT course; and c) 6 healthy, sex-matched controls of similar age.
Results:
The 24-hour profile of temperature was significantly different in patients pre-ECT than in patients post-ECT or in controls. Post-ECT subjects and controls manifested 24-hour profiles similar to one another. Circadian temperature rhythm amplitude increased after ECT. The mean asleep and mean 24-hour temperatures were significantly higher in patients pre-ECT than post-ECT and controls.
Conclusions:
We find that ECT restores a disrupted circadian temperature rhythm in depressed patients.