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Biomedical subjects

Matthew V. Rudorfer

Publications and source records attributed to Matthew V. Rudorfer.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Disparate Biochemical Actions of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Antidepressant Drugs.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) effects on monoamine transmitter metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were evaluated in three patients after completion of a course of bilateral or unilateral ECT. Each patient had earlier undergone an unsuccessful trial with an antidepressant drug. Despite the disparate nature of the basic pharmacology of the antidepressant drugs used, common chronic effects were observed in the CSF, with reductions in 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations in all patients despite lack of therapeutic response. Homovanillic acid (HVA) changes were inconsistent. After ECT, however, no CSF changes were observed in the one nonresponder to that treatment. The two ECT responders showed marked increases in CSF 5-HIAA and HVA over their respective baselines, with an elevation in MHPG in one patient only. Further study of the mechanisms of action of ECT should focus on the serotonin and dopamine systems and on the differences between responders and nonresponders.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Combined Lithium and Electroconvulsive Therapy: Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Interactions.

The combined use of lithium and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is currently contraindicated, due to reports of associated neurotoxicity and poor outcome. Only limited data are available to explain any pharmacological basis for an adverse interaction between the two treatments. ECT does not alter lithium distribution or kinetics. Possible drug-drug interactions between lithium and ECT premedication have been subjected to little systematic study. Despite a body of preclinical work implicating the cholinergic system in the mechanism of action of both lithium and ECT, no interaction between lithium and pre-ECT anticholinergic medication has been reported. Potentiation of barbiturate anesthetics and neuromuscular blocking agents, including succinylcholine, by lithium has been noted in the anesthesiology literature, but reports of such interaction are lacking in the context of ECT administration. Thus, no demonstrable pharmacokinetic or drug-drug interaction factors preclude combined prescription of lithium and ECT.

Journal Article↗