A FEW ELECTROCONVULSIVE SHOCKS PRODUCE MORE RELIABLE EFFECTS OF FIRING RATE IN LATERAL SEPTAL NEURONS THAN REPETITIVE TREATMENT IN THE RAT

Electroconvulsive shock is a common treatment used in depression, especially in cases in which suicide constitutes a risk. The recommendation for its use varies from one place to another, but there is an empirical agreement to avoid daily treatment or several treatments on the same day. The present study explored the actions of electroconvulsive shock in lateral septal firing rate in rats. The first or second once-a-day electroconvulsive shock produced a maximal increase in firing rate; however, effects vanished as treatment was repeated. Three consecutive electroconvulsive shocks on the same day also produced fewer changes in firing rate than once-a-day treatment. These results are likely to be related to clinical recommendations to avoid serial-repetitive treatment, and suggest that some resting time is required in treatment to achieve long-lasting changes in neuronal activity.