Increased Anterior Cingulate GABA Level Following Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients with Major Depressive Episodes

Pallab Bhattacharyya¹, Erik Beall¹, Mark Lowe¹, Micheal Phillips¹, David Muzina¹

Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) level in anterior cingulate is known to be reduced in depression patients. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a commonly used treatment for major depressive episodes (MDE). Using ¹H spectroscopy we have measured anterior cingulate GABA level 2 weeks before and 1-2 weeks after ECT treatment in MDE patients. Our preliminary data show an increase in anterior cingulate GABA level following ECT in MDE patients.