The use of a cumulative index of adrenal cortical activity has been described.This has been applied to the estimation of adrenocortical activity after (1) small doses of ACTH in anxiety states, (2) injection of saline and venipuncture, (3) controlled thermal pain, and (4) electroconvulsive therapy.In all these experiments the data indicate activation of the adrenal cortex.It is suggested that the greater the patient's anxiety and tenseness the greater the activation of the adrenal cortex by the test situation.The use of pretreatment sodium amytal seems to decrease the response of the adrenal cortex to ECT.Abstract Teaser