ECT and TRH: cholinergic involvement in a cognitive deficit state.
In this paper we describe the findings from two preliminary experiments, a human and an animal study, investigating whether thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) can mitigate electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-induced cognitive deficits. Our results suggest further explorations of TRH and its analogs as possible therapeutic agents for these deficits. We speculate that the major cause of the ECT-induced cognitive deficits is a decrease in cholinergic transmission in the central nervous system. Treatments such as TRH, which enhance cholinergic activity, can reverse the cognitive deficits.
Khan
A
A
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Mirolo
M H
MH
Lai
H
H
Claypoole
K
K
Bierut
L
L
Malik
R
R
Bhang
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D051381:Rats; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone