After undergoing ECT, patients typically experience increased responsiveness to which of the following neurotransmitters?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is primarily used to treat severe depression and involves the application of electrical currents to the brain, which can lead to significant changes in neurotransmitter activity. The correct answer highlights that after undergoing ECT, patients typically experience increased responsiveness to dopamine and norepinephrine.

Dopamine is often linked to the regulation of mood and emotional responses, while norepinephrine plays a role in attention, arousal, and the stress response. ECT has been shown to enhance the brain's sensitivity to these neurotransmitters, which can contribute to alleviating depressive symptoms and improving mood.

The other response options do not accurately reflect the primary neurochemical changes associated with ECT. For instance, serotonin and GABA are involved in mood regulation and inhibitory processes, but their responsiveness is not as prominently impacted post-ECT as that of dopamine and norepinephrine. Similarly, while acetylcholine and glutamate are crucial for cognitive function and excitatory neurotransmission, they are not the primary focus of increased responsiveness following ECT. Endorphins and oxytocin, often associated with pain relief and social bonding, respectively, do not have the same direct connection to the immediate effects of ECT on mood disorders. Therefore, emphasizing dopamine and