EFFECTS OF CHRONIC LITHIUM AND ELECTROCONVULSIVE STIMULI ON CHOLECYSTOKININ MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN THE RAT-BRAIN

This study compares the effect of lithium (Li+) and electroconvulsive stimuli (ECS), two treatments commonly used in the treatment of affect ive disorders, on CCK mRNA expression in the rat brain. Two groups of rats receiving either 4 week Li+ or vehicle food supplementation and t wo groups receiving 6 ECS or 6 sham ECS during 2 weeks were studied. A significant decrease in CCK mRNA levels was seen in the caudate putam en both after Li+ as compared to vehicle and ECS as compared to sham E CS, 27 and 25%, respectively. A small (10%), yet significant, decrease was also seen in the inner entorhinal cortex after Li+. The results i ndicate that both Li+ and ECS inhibit CCK synthesis in the caudate put amen and are consistent with other findings of presumed decreased dopa minergic action in this part of the brain following these treatments.