BDNF, antidepressants and ECT

Posted By sierra on December 24, 1998 at 02:35:59:







I read about a study done at the Yale University School of Medicine (by Duman et al in 1995) showing that (in animal studies) chronic electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) and anti-depressant therapy could actually promote neuronal survival and protect neurons from the damaging effects of stress.  It further stated that this type of therapy could increase and prolong the life of BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) within the brain.
Recent animal research has shown that BDNF drugs can slow down the rate of ALS disease progression and currently there are human trials being conducted testing the efficacy of chemically engineered BDNF and other drugs which increase BDNF levels within the body .
Couldn't ECT and antidepressant therapy possibly work to slow down the rate of progression of degenerative neurological diseases like ALS or Parkinsons?  Your input would be greatly appreciated.