Abstract
The plasma concentrations of adrenaline and of noradrenaline and their changes after electroshock therapy (EST) have been determined in psychiatric patients and in rats. Electroshock therapy was found to cause a transient elevation in both adrenaline and noradrenaline. Pretreatment with barbiturates and with ganglionic blocking agents was found to suppress completely the adrenaline and noradrenaline responses. Pretreatment with succinylcholine caused a partial inhibition. Preoxygenation caused no alteration in response to electroshock therapy. A significant degree of depression of the noradrenaline response after a series of electroshock treatments was seen in human subjects. Note: with the technical assistance of Benjamin Mehlman. Submitted on August 7, 1957

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