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Psychosomatic Medicine 16:334-339 (1954)
© 1954 American Psychosomatic Society

Changes in Bloodclotting Time and Blood-Sugar Levels in Relation to Electroshock Therapy

ERIC KAST M.D. and ARTHUR ZWEIBEL M.D.

Sixteen psychotic patients were studied under stress. Electroshock therapy was used as stressor. These patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 was subjected to EST according to hospital routine; Group 2 was handled in identical fashion, with the exception that no electric current was applied; and Group 3 consisted of patients who were suddenly subjected to EST without anticipating it. Blood-sugar levels and the bloodclotting time were determined before and after EST, or, in Group 2, anticipated EST. It was shown that there was a marked shortening of the bloodclotting time and elevation of the blood-sugar level preceding and following EST, which was most marked immediately before and after EST, when the accompanying anxiety and excitement were at their peak.

The changes in the bloodclotting time and blood-sugar level were practically identical in Groups 1 and 2, indicating that the application of electric current to the brain had no direct influence on the changes of these values. There was no significant deviation from normal in Group 3 where electrical current was applied, but anxiety and anticipation was at a minimum. The deviations of the BCT and the BS indicate some adrenomedullary stimulation, which we have shown to be independent of EST, but produced by anticipation and anxiety. It was further speculated that the adrenocortical stimulation, which has been shown to follow EST, is not a direct action of electricity on the hypothalamus and pituitary, but rather follows the stimulation of the pituitary by adrenalin to produce ACTH.

The electroshock therapy then probably is nonspecific as far as the adrenal medullary and cortical stimulation is concerned, and may be replaced by any noxious stimulus which produces severe anxiety and excitement.

Submitted on November 4, 1952




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