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Prolactin response to electroconvulsive shock in anesthetized rats
D Golan1, A Aharoni, U Halbreich
1Department of Psychiatry, Hadassah University, Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) impacts serum prolactin levels, indicating neurotransmitter activity. Antiserotonergic agents significantly lowered prolactin response to ECS, suggesting a balance between dopamine and serotonin systems.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Serum prolactin level (SPL) is a marker for dopaminergic and serotonergic activity.
- Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) is a potent stimulus that affects neurotransmitter systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in modulating prolactin response to ECS.
- To determine how specific pharmacological agents affect SPL following ECS.
Main Methods:
- Anesthetized rats were pretreated with various agents including cyproheptadine, parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA), pimozide, bromocriptine, and L-dopa.
- Serum prolactin levels were measured in response to electroconvulsive shock (ECS) in pretreated and control groups.
Main Results:
- ECS combined with antiserotonergic agents resulted in a statistically significant decrease in SPL compared to ECS or antiserotonergic agents alone.
- Pretreatment with the dopaminergic blocker pimozide led to a significant decrease in SPL following ECS.
- Dopamine agonists did not elevate SPL in response to ECS.
Conclusions:
- A balance between serotonergic and dopaminergic systems appears to influence prolactin response to ECS.
- Pharmacological agents can disrupt this balance, altering the prolactin response to electroconvulsive shock stimulus.