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Spatial memory impairment in Morris water maze after electroconvulsive seizures
Maria Svensson1, Thord Hallin1, Jonas Broms1
1Department of Clinical Sciences Lund,Psychiatric Neuromodulation Unit,Lund University,Lund,Sweden.
Acta Neuropsychiatrica
|May 4, 2016
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can cause memory loss. Repeated electroconvulsive seizures (ECS) in rats impaired spatial memory, indicating a cumulative effect rather than a delayed response after a single treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for severe depression but can cause retrograde memory loss.
- Electroconvulsive seizures (ECS), an animal model of ECT, increase hippocampal neurogenesis and cause amnesia.
- Newborn hippocampal neurons may degrade existing memories, prompting investigation into ECS effects on memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if memory impairment after multiple ECS treatments is cumulative or a delayed effect of a single treatment.
Main Methods:
- Rats trained on the Morris water maze (MWM) for spatial memory.
- Groups received either single or multiple (four) ECS or sham treatments.
- Memory was tested at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days post-treatment.
Main Results:
- A single ECS treatment did not cause retrograde amnesia.
- Multiple ECS treatments significantly disrupted spatial memory in the MWM.
Conclusions:
- Retrograde amnesia following multiple ECS treatments results from a cumulative effect of repeated treatments.
- The findings differentiate between cumulative and delayed memory impairment after ECS.
