Neurochemical mechanisms of action of ECS: evidence from in vivo studies.

Abstract

Recent advances in receptor pharmacology and in the understanding of intracellular signal-transduction systems have given rise to new theories of the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs. The relevance of these theories to the antidepressant mechanism(s) of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) is discussed, with a view to increasing understanding of the mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Particular attention is given to results obtained with in vivo methods both in experimental animals and in human subjects.