The effects of electroconvulsive therapy on plasma insulin and glucose in depression.

The effects of ECT on plasma insulin and glucose were assessed in 20 depressed patients, during the first, third and fifth session of ECT. After each administration of ECT there was a significant rise in blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, both of which peaked at 15 minutes. Insulin responses tended to attenuate over the course of ECT, whereas the glucose responses were similar for all three treatments. ECT was effective in all patients, although two months after the last treatment nine patients had partially relapsed (Hamilton score greater than 15). Those who relapsed had a more attenuated insulin response at the fifth treatment than those who had remained well, which suggests that insulin response to ECT may be predictive of clinical outcome.