OBJECTIVE: Although the antidepressant mechanism of ECT is unknown,
there are considerable data to support serotonergic involvement. The
effects of tryptophan depletion were studied in patients with major
depression treated successfully with ECT. METHOD: Five patients who had
been successfully treated with ECT for major depression were studied in a
randomized, double-blind, crossover design comparing tryptophan depletion
to a placebo procedure. RESULTS: No effect of tryptophan depletion on mood
symptoms was observed despite more than an 85% decrease in total serum
tryptophan. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that presynaptic serotonin
availability may not be necessary for the acute maintenance of an
antidepressant response to ECT.
Abstract Teaser