Diazepam administration to mice prevents some of the changes in monoamine-mediated behaviour produced by repeated electroconvulsive shock treatment.
Administration to mice of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) five times over 10 days results in an enhanced 5-HTP-induced head twitch response, an enhanced apomorphine-induced locomotor response and an attenuated sedation response to the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine. Diazepam (1.25 mg/kg IP) injected 5 min before each ECS abolished the enhanced 5-HT- and dopamine-mediated responses but left the attenuated sedation response unaltered. When diazepam was given 5 min after each convulsion it still had the same effect, although its effects on the ECS-induced changes was blocked by administration of the specific benzodiazepine antagonist Ro 15-1788 (10 mg/kg IP) at the same time as diazepam. It is concluded that diazepam can abolish the ECS-induced changes in 5-HT- and DA-mediated behaviour, but not alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated responses, possibly by interfering with post-ictal changes. The implications for administration of benzodiazepines during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are discussed.
Green
A R
AR
Mountford
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000502:physiology*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology
D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D003975:Diazepam