CEREBRAL METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSION
HAROLD E. HIMWICH M. D.1,
D. EWEN CAMERON M. D.2,
EDMUND HOMBURGER 3, , and
FRED FELDMAN M. D.4
1 The Department of Physiology, Albany Medical College, Union University, Albany, N. Y.
2 The Department of Pharmacology, Albany Medical College, Union University, Albany, N. Y.
3 The Department of Neurology, Albany Medical College, Union University, Albany, N. Y.
4 The Department of Psychiatry, Albany Medical College, Union University, Albany, N. Y.
Cerebral arteriovenous oxygen differences were determined in 33 patients with depressive psychoses. The average value, 6.5 volumes percent, was within the normal limits. Since there appears to be no change in cerebral blood flow, brain metabolism is probably normal in these patients. Cerebral arteriovenous oxygen differences were not changed significantly as a result of electroshock therapy in 13 patients.
