Electroconvulsive therapy increases circadian amplitude and lowers core body temperature in depressed subjects

• Published in: Biological psychiatry (1969) Vol. 42; no. 12; pp. 1130 - 1137
• Main Authors: Szuba, Martin P., Guze, Barry H., Baxter, Lewis R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 15-12-1997; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Affect; Biological and medical sciences; Body Temperature - physiology; Circadian Rhythm - physiology; Circadian rhythms; Depressive Disorder - physiopathology; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Depressive Disorder - therapy; depressive disorders; Electroconvulsive Therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; temperature; Treatments; Circadian rhythms; temperature; electroconvulsive therapy; depressive disorders; Mood disorder; Human; Electroconvulsive therapy; Treatment; Body temperature; Depression; Biological rhythm; Circadian rhythm
• ISSN: 0006-3223; 1873-2402
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3223(97)00046-2

Reduced amplitude of the circadian temperature rhythm and elevated nocturnal body temperature normalize after successful pharmacotherapy of major depression.
Core body temperature was continually monitored in three groups: a) 6 depressed patients before an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) course and b) after an ECT course; and c) 6 healthy, sex-matched controls of similar age.
The 24-hour profile of temperature was significantly different in patients pre-ECT than in patients post-ECT or in controls. Post-ECT subjects and controls manifested 24-hour profiles similar to one another. Circadian temperature rhythm amplitude increased after ECT. The mean asleep and mean 24-hour temperatures were significantly higher in patients pre-ECT than post-ECT and controls.
We find that ECT restores a disrupted circadian temperature rhythm in depressed patients.