Physiological effects of electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation in major depression

Major depressive episodes ave associated with dysregulation of various physiologic systems. Antidepressant medications alter regulation of the hormonal and sleep systems. A thorough understanding of these changes may elucidate the pathophysiologic basis of the disorder [Amsterdam et al., 1989: Psychoneuroendocrinology 14:43-62] and interventions targeted directly at these systems are being increasingly recognized as possible treatments for depression [Wong et al, 2000: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97:325-330; Szuba et al., 1996 Proc Am Coil Neuropsychopharmacol Ann Meet]. These physiologic systems are regulated by the major neurotransmitters implicated in the etiology of mood disorders-norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Many of the hormones of import for this article also act as neurotransmitters and thus alter cerebral activity themselves [Owens and Nemeroff 1993: Ciba Found Symp 172:296-308; Weitzner; 1998: Psychother Psychosom 67:125-132] Parenteral infusion of hydrocortisone [DeBattista, 2000: Am F Psychiatry 157:1334-1337] and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) [Prange et al., 1972: Lancet 2:999-1002; Marangell et al., 1997: Arch Gen Psychiatry 54:214-222; Szuba, 1996: Proc Am Coil Neuropsychopharmacol Ann Meet.] produce acute antidepresent effects. Antagonists to corticotropin-releasing hormone and repeated parenteral infusion of TRH may have antidepressant activity when given during several weeks [Wong 2000: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97:325-330; Arborelius et ad., 1999: F Endocrinol 160:1-12; Callahan et al., 1997: Biol Psychiatry 41:264-272]. Manipulations of the sleep system through sleep deprivation can ameliorate depression [Szuba et at, 1994: Psychiatry Res 51:283-295; see Wirz-Justice et al., 1999: Bio Psychiatry 46:445-453 for review]. Sleep deprivation has been shown in more than three dozen studies published in the last three decades to produce marked acute antidepressant effects in the majority of depressed individuals [Wirz-Justice, et al., 1999: Biol Psychiatry 46:445-453]. Thus, examination of the effects the two nonpharmacologic treatments, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), produce in these physiologic systems may help elucidate their mechanisms of action, while enhancing understanding of the neurobiology of depressive illness. We will review these physiologic changes associated with depression, the effects that manipulations of these systems can have on depressive disorders, and then describe the effects the two techniques that can stimulate the human brain in vivo, ECT and TMS, exert on these systems. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.