The effects of electroconvulsive shock on dopamine-1 and dopamine-2 receptor ligand binding activity in MPTP-treated mice.

Abstract

To explore the possible therapeutic use of electric convulsive treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD), the authors examined the biochemical effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on dopaminergic systems in a rodent model of PD, induced with the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). MPTP increased dopamine turnover, as indicated by an increase in the ratio of the dopamine metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid to dopamine. [3H]Spiperone binding to the D2 site increased after lesioning of striatal dopamine terminals. With ECS alone, no changes were found in monoamine levels, brain monoamine oxidase activity, or the D2-labeled sites measured 24 hours after the last treatment. [3H]SCH-23390 binding to the D1 site increased after ECS. In MPTP-treated mice, ECS also increased [3H]SCH-23390 binding to the D1 site, whereas [3H]spiperone binding to the D2 site was unchanged compared to control or to only ECS-treated animals, and decreased compared to the MPTP-treated group that did not receive ECS. ECS appears to selectively modify both the D1 and D2 sites when given after MPTP, increasing the binding of a D1 radioligand and decreasing the binding of a D2 radioligand.