Increased neurogenesis in a model of electroconvulsive therapy.
BACKGROUND
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a widely used and efficient treatment modality in psychiatry, although the basis for its therapeutic effect is still unknown. Past research has shown seizure activity to be a regulator of neurogenesis in the adult brain. This study examines the effect of a single and multiple electroconvulsive seizures on neurogenesis in the rat dentate gyrus.


METHODS
Rats were given either a single or a series of 10 electroconvulsive seizures. At different times after the seizures, a marker of proliferating cells, Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), was administered to the animals. Subsequently, newborn cells positive for BrdU were counted in the dentate gyrus. Double staining with a neuron-specific marker indicated that the newborn cells displayed a neuronal phenotype.


RESULTS
A single electroconvulsive seizure significantly increased the number of new born cells in the dentate gyrus. These cells survived for at least 3 months. A series of seizures further increased neurogenesis, indicating a dose-dependent mechanism.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose that generation of new neurons in the hippocampus may be an important neurobiologic element underlying the clinical effects of electroconvulsive seizures.
Madsen
T M
TM
Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, H:S Rigshospitalet, (TMM, TGB), Copenhagen, Denmark.
Treschow
A
A
Bengzon
J
J
Bolwig
T G
TG
Lindvall
O
O
Tingström
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000963:Antimetabolites; D017209:Apoptosis; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D002452:Cell Count; D002455:Cell Division; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000963:Antimetabolites; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine