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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
No evident neuronal damage after electroconvulsive therapy
O C Zachrisson1, J Balldin, R Ekman
1Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. olof.zachrisson@neuro.gu.se
Psychiatry Research
|November 7, 2000
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for major depressive disorder did not show biochemical evidence of brain damage. This study found no significant changes in neuronal damage markers or blood-brain barrier function after ECT treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for major depressive disorder.
- Concerns exist regarding potential cognitive deficits and brain damage associated with ECT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether ECT induces cerebral damage using biochemical markers.
- To assess changes in neuronal/glial degeneration markers and blood-brain barrier (BBB) function post-ECT.
Main Methods:
- Measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of tau protein, neurofilament (NFL), and S-100 beta protein before and after ECT.
- Determined the CSF/serum albumin ratio to evaluate BBB integrity.
- Assessed depressive symptoms using the Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale for Depression.
Main Results:
- ECT treatment led to significant clinical improvement in depressive symptoms for all patients.
- No significant changes were observed in CSF levels of tau, NFL, or S-100 beta after ECT.
- The CSF/serum albumin ratio remained unchanged, indicating no ECT-induced BBB dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- A therapeutic course of ECT did not result in biochemical evidence of neuronal or glial damage.
- No indication of blood-brain barrier dysfunction was detected following ECT treatment.
