Vasopressin release during electroconvulsive therapy

The therapeutic effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been attributed to changes in hypothalamic peptides with behavioural effects. Vasopressin (AVP) has been shown to possess such qualities. We have studied the effect of ECT on AVP release in nine endogenously depressed patients during ECT sessions numbers 1, 2, 5 and 8. Plasma AVP concentration showed a five-fold increase two min after the electric stimulus and fell to nearly basal levels within 10 min. The maximum plasma AVP concentration following ECT was independent of the age of the patients, their basal plasma AVP level, the electric energy of the stimulus, the duration of the seizures and the electrode placement. No changes were found in plasma osmolality, plasma sodium concentration and plasma renin activity. These results indicate that ECT has a transient effect on plasma AVP. Changes in AVP activity within the central nervous system might be a link in the chain of events which form the basis of the therapeutic effect of ECT.