The effect of electroconvulsive shock seizures on behaviour induced by dopaminergic agonists and on immobility in the Porsolt test

• Published in: European neuropsychopharmacology 2004-12, Vol.14 (6), p.509-514
• Main Authors: Zarrindast, Mohammad-Reza, Sahebgharani, Mousa, Burnham, W.McIntyre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine - pharmacology; Amphetamine - pharmacology; Animals; Apomorphine - pharmacology; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Dopamine Agonists - pharmacology; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology; Dopaminergic drugs; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electroconvulsive shock seizures; Electroshock; Grooming; Grooming - drug effects; Immobility; Locomotion; Male; Motor Activity - drug effects; Porsolt test; Quinpirole - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Dopamine D1 - drug effects; Receptors, Dopamine D2 - drug effects; Seizures - psychology; Yawning; Yawning - drug effects
• ISSN: 0924-977X; 1873-7862
• DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2004.02.002

Male, Wistar rats were given a course of eight electroconvulsive shock seizures (ECS group) or matched handling (control group). They were then tested for locomotion and rearing (7 days post-ECS), for grooming and yawning (9 days post-ECS), and for immobility in the Porsolt test (7, 14 and 21 days post-ECS). Seven days post-seizure, the ECS group showed significantly more locomotion following intraperitoneal administration of apomorphine (0.2 mg/kg), but not following injections of amphetamine (1 mg/kg). Drug-induced rearing was not different in the ECS and control animals. Nine days post-seizure, the ECS group showed significantly more grooming induced by the D-1 dopamine receptor agonist, SKF 38393 (1 mg/kg), but no difference in the yawning induced by the D-2 dopamine receptor agonist, quinpirole (0.05 mg/kg). In the Porsolt test, immobility was decreased in the ECS animals at 7 and 14, but not at 21 days post-ECS. It is concluded that ECS increases activity in the dopaminergic systems of the rat brain for at least 1–2 weeks post-seizure. The beneficial effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may relate to these dopaminergic alterations.