Effects of emotional stress on E1-mouse convulsions, and their biochemical background.

Emotional stress markedly inhibited E1 mouse convulsions. Norepinephrine and dopamine levels in E1 mouse brain were hardly affected by stress, though a marked decrease in norepinephrine and dopamine levels was observed in the ddY mouse brain. The serotonin levels decreased in the E1 mouse brain in the same degree as in the ddY mouse brain. These findings suggest that the serotonergic system is involved in the inhibition of E1 mouse convulsions, through an enhanced serotonin release in the brain brought on by the emotional stress. Noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems may also be involved.