The effects of single and repeated electroconvulsive shock administration on the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine and noradrenaline from cortical slices of rat brain.

1 A method is described of measuring the K+-evoked release of endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) from slices prepared from rat cortex. 2 There was no difference in either the spontaneous (basal) or K+-evoked release of 5-HT or NA from cortical slices prepared from handled animals and those given a single electroconvulsive shock (ECS) either 30 min or 24 h earlier. 3 In chronic studies, rats were either handled or given an ECS 5 times over 10 days and cortical slices prepared. There was no difference in 5-HT or NA release between the groups 30 min after the last treatment other than a modest attentuation of spontaneous NA release following ECS treatment. However 24 h after the last treatment K+-evoked release (above basal release) of 5-HT and NA was inhibited by 84% and 48%, respectively. 4 These data demonstrate that following a single ECS, normal 5-HT and NA release is seen at a time when GABA release is markedly inhibited. After repeated ECS the release of both monoamines was markedly inhibited. These 5-HT changes may be involved in the enhanced 5-HT-receptor function seen after repeated ECS.