Reserpinization enhances electroconvulsive treatment effects on cortical alpha 1-adrenoceptors

Repeated electroconvulsion shock (ECS) for 7 days given to mildly reserpinized rats strongly elevated the density of [3H]prazosin-labelled alpha 1-adrenoceptors and depressed the EC50 for norepinephrine-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation, while the effects of either treatment given alone were small or negligible. Alterations in alpha 1-adrenoceptor activity caused by ECS could possibly be a function of receptor sensitivity during drug treatment.