A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF STEROID EXCRETION IN DEPRESSED PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER ELECTRO-CONVULSIVE THERAPY

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Abstract
Using a method dependent upon paper chromatography, the urinary excretion of the individual corticosteroids and the individual 17-oxosterolds has been studied before and after electro-convulsive therapy in 5 female patients suffering from a depressive illness. The corticosteroids, which are normally associated with stress, were found to show a fall in excretion from abnormally high levels before treatment to normal levels thereafter. The 11-deoxy-17-oxosterolds, on the other hand, showed a low level of excretion prior to treatment which was followed by a rise to normal values in clinical remission. These findings are discussed.