EFFECTS OF ECS ON DNA SINGLE-STRAND BREAKS IN RAT-BRAIN CELLS

We conducted a series of experiments to evaluate possible molecular me chanisms by which electroconvulsive therapy, a commonly used treatment for depression, may exert its adverse effects such as amnesia. We ass essed the effects of repeated electroconvulsive shocks (ECS) alone and in combination with low-level radiograph irradiation on DNA single-st rand breaks in cells in the rat brain, using a sensitive alkaline micr ogel electrophoresis assay method. Our results show that ECS, when adm inistered alone, had no significant effects on DNA single-strand break s in cells in either the hippocampus or the rest of the brain. However , repeated ECS when combined with a low-level radiograph irradiation p roduced a small but significant increase in DNA single-strand breaks i n rat brain cells.