Treatment of Reduced Heart Rate Variability Associated With Major Depression With Electroconvulsive Therapy

The purpose of this study is to evaluate alterations in sympathetic tone in patients with major depression with and without ischemic heart disease and then to reevaluate these patients after 8 treatments with electroconvulsive therapy(ECT). We expect to support the hypothesis that HRV are pathophysiologically associated with the state of major depression. We hypothesize the following: 1. Heart rate variability (HRV) will be decreased prior to treatment of depression in comparison to post-treatment measures of HRV. 2. After 8 treatments with ECT, HRV will be increased under basal conditions.