Neuroendocrine aspects of the relief of melancholia by induced seizures (electroconvulsive treatment).

Some important features of the antidepressant efficacy of ECT are described. Two principal hypotheses of this action, a neuroendocrine and a neurohumoral, are discussed in detail. The merits of the neuroendocrine hypothesis of convulsive therapy for studies of melancholia, catatonia, and new antidepressant treatments are discussed.