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Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
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Brain serotonin critically contributes to the biological effects of electroconvulsive seizures

Golo Kronenberg1,2,3, Markus Petermann3,4, Christof Dormann5

  • 1Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsmedizin Rostock, 18147, Rostock, Germany.

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
|July 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Brain serotonin (5-HT) is crucial for electroconvulsive seizure (ECS) therapy

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Serotonin (5-HT) compounds are common antidepressants.
  • The role of 5-HT in electroconvulsive seizure (ECS) therapy is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of 5-HT in mediating ECS effects.
  • To understand the neurobiological impact of ECS in the absence of 5-HT.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Tph2 knockout mice lacking brain 5-HT.
  • Administered ECS and assessed behavioral changes using the elevated O-Maze test.
  • Measured adult neurogenesis and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling.

Main Results:

  • ECS prolonged start latency in the elevated O-Maze test, an effect abolished in Tph2 knockout mice.
  • ECS-induced increases in hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF signaling were reduced in the absence of 5-HT.
  • Brain 5-HT is essential for ECS-mediated behavioral and neurobiological effects.

Conclusions:

  • Brain serotonin is critical for mediating the therapeutic effects of electroconvulsive seizure therapy.
  • These findings highlight 5-HT's role in ECS-induced neuroplasticity and behavioral outcomes.
Keywords:
AntidepressantsBDNFDepressionNeurogenesisTPH2

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