Lack of modulatory effect of short-term repeated electroconvulsive therapy on platelet vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in depressed patients.

We investigated the effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on platelet vesicular monoamine-transmitter-transporter 2 (pVMAT2) using high-affinity [(3)H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding to platelet VMAT2 in 11 women and 7 men, aged 53.7 +/- 15.8. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the binding characteristic of pVMAT2 were assessed before and after six ECTs, administered over 21 days. A significant reduction (4.5 +/- 0.46; 20.8%) was obtained in HAM-D scores (p < 0.01) following the ECTs. The pVMAT2 density (B (max)) and affinity values (K (d)) remained unaltered. Six ECTs are not sufficient for modulation in pVMAT2 expression. Long-term studies are needed to clarify the relationship between full remission and possible alterations in platelet/brain VMAT2 characteristics.