Why the study?
Does electroconvulsive therapy alter water metabolism and steroid hormone secretion in psychotic patients?
Does electroconvulsive therapy alter water metabolism and steroid hormone secretion in psychotic patients?
The therapeutic effect of electroconvulsive therapy in psychotic patients may be mediated by reparative mechanisms involving steroid hormone production.
Hypothesis-generating for steroid mediation of ECT benefit in psychosis; prospective trials needed before any practice implications.
Changes in salt and water balance in patients given ECT are mediated by various mechanisms. Apparently increased secretion of 3-ketosteroids occurs in patients who show clinical benefit after shock; however, this is only a side reaction and is important only in pointing to the increased production of steroid hormones. That other effects of steroid hormones may be responsible for clinical improvement after shock therapy is suggested by available data. It is probable that the therapeutic effect of shock is reparative rather than destructive.
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Altschule et al. (1949) studied this question.
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