Prolactin Levels after Bilateral and Unilateral ECT

Summary Serial post-ictal serum prolactin levels were obtained over a period of one hour after bilateral or unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in six patients. Bilateral ECT yielded significantly higher mean post-ictal prolactin levels than unilateral ECT at the 15,20,30 and 60 minute sampling times. These findings demonstrate a greater hypothalamic-stimulating effect of bilateral than unilateral ECT, and may explain the reported therapeutic advantage of bilateral over unilateral ECT in the treatment of patients with melancholia.

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