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The Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Plasma Insulin and Glucose in Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Karen Williams ,
Jeanette Smith ,
Paul Glue  and
David Nutt
Karen Williams
Affiliation:
Coney Hill Hospital, Gloucester, All Saints Hospital, Birmingham
Jeanette Smith
Affiliation:
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter
Paul Glue
Affiliation:
Psychopharmacology Unit, University of Bristol
David Nutt*
Affiliation:
Psychopharmacology Unit, University of Bristol, School of Medical Sciences, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

The effects of ECT on plasma insulin and glucose were assessed in 20 depressed patients, during the first, third and fifth session of ECT. After each administration of ECT there was a significant rise in blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, both of which peaked at 15 minutes. Insulin responses tended to attenuate over the course of ECT, whereas the glucose responses were similar for all three treatments. ECT was effective in all patients, although two months after the last treatment nine patients had partially relapsed (Hamilton score > 15). Those who relapsed had a more attenuated insulin response at the fifth treatment than those who had remained well, which suggests that insulin response to ECT may be predictive of clinical outcome.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 161 , Issue 1 , July 1992 , pp. 94 - 98
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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