High but not low ECS stimulus intensity augments apomorphine-stimulated dopamine postsynaptic receptor functioning in rats

Background: Clinical research shows that the antidepressant and cognitive adverse effects of electroconvulsive therapy are both dependent on the administered electrical stimulus intensity (dose); however, dose-dependent neurotransmitter system changes in the brain, which might underlie the therapeutic or adverse effects, remain to be demonstrated. Objective: We used a behavioral model to examine dose-related effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on dopamine postsynaptic receptor functioning in the rat brain. Methods: In a factorially designed study, rats (n = 100) were treated with five once-daily ECSs at three levels (sham ECS, 30 mC ECS, and 120 mC ECS), and with drug at two levels (saline, and I mg/kg s.c. apomorphine). Motility was assessed in the small open field. Results: Apomorphine-elicited, dopamine postsynaptic receptor-mediated hypermotility was significantly increased by 120 mC ECS but not by 30 mC ECS. An additional but unrelated finding was that, while the ECS seizure duration expectedly decreased across time, no dose-dependent effects were observed. Conclusion: ECS-induced dopamine postsynaptic receptor up-regulation may depend on the intensity of the administered electrical stimulus.