Korean J Psychopharmacol.  1997 Apr;8(1):113-117.

Effects of Methysergide on Serum Growth Hormone Response after Electroconvulsive Therapy

• Bahk WM
• Yoon JH
• Kim KS
• Lee CT
• Lew TY

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of methysergide(serotonin receptor antagonist) on serum growth hormone response after electroconvulsive therapy(ECT).
METHODS
We studied the changes of the serum growth hormone levels of the day before ECT(No ECT), ECT without methysergide pretreatment(ECT alone), and ECT with methysergide pretreatment(M+ECT) by radioimmunoassay method in 14 psychiatric patients. ECT was induced by the application of 110 volts for a period 0.3-1.0 second, using bitemporal electrodes.
RESULTS
1) Serum growth hormone levels at 15, 30, and 60 minutes after ECT were significantly increased in the ECT alone group than in the No ECT group(p<0.05). 2) Serum growth hormone levels at 15, 30, and 60 minites after ECT were significantly decreased in the M+ECT group than in the ECT alone group(p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that the response of growth hormone after ECT seems to be mediated by the activation of serotonergic system.

Keyword

Electroconvulsive therapy; Growth hormone; Methysergide

MeSH Terms

Electroconvulsive Therapy*
Electrodes
Growth Hormone*
Humans
Methysergide*
Radioimmunoassay
Growth Hormone
Methysergide