The Effect of Convulsive Therapy on Plasma Adrenaline and Noradrenaline

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Abstract
Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were studied in schizophrenics given convulsive therapy. Unmodified electroshock produced a 75% increase of adrenaline content which normalized in about 10 minutes. The noradrenaline content increased by 40% but decayed more slowly. Hexabar-bitone or hexabarbitone + brevitil, which normally lowers the plasma adrenaline content 60% does not prevent the increase of adrenaline seen in electroshock, but that of noradrenaline is prevented. Very similar effects were seen when convulsions were induced with leptazol.