CHRONIC ELECTROCONVULSIVE SHOCK AND 5-HT AUTORECEPTOR ACTIVITY IN RAT-BRAIN - AN IN-VIVO MICRODIALYSIS STUDY

In vivo microdialysis was used to determine the effects of chronic ele ctroconvulsive shock (ECS), given daily for 10 days, on basal 5-HT lev els in rat frontal cortex and hippocampus and on the effect of systemi c administration of the 5-HT-1a receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (0.2 mg/kg ), to reduce 5-HT levels in these areas by activation of somatodendrit ic autoreceptors. Neither basal 5-HT levels nor the effects of 8-OH-DP AT on 5-HT levels were altered after chronic ECS. The effect of system ic administration of the 5-HT,, and 5-HT1B antagonist, (+/-)-pindolol (10 mg/kg), to increase 5-HT levels in hippocampus, was also not affec ted by chronic ECS.