On the basis of the present findings, it is tempting to speculate that an increase in brain energy metabolism by the antidepressant paroxetine, nortriptyline and venlafaxine could play a role in the mechanism of action of these drugs. These data corroborate with other studies suggesting that some antidepressants modulate brain energy metabolism.

In this context, if the hypothesis that metabolism impairment is involved in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders is correct and these results also occur in vivo, we suggest that olanzapine may reverse a possible diminution of metabolism.

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Réus GZ, Stringari RB, Rezin GT, Pezente DP, Scaini G, Maggi DD, De-Nês BT, Streck EL, Quevedo J, Feier G. Effects of maintenance electroshock on mitochondrial respiratory chain and creatine kinase activities in the rat brain.Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy is used efficacious treatment for a variety of complicated psychiatric disorders and evidences have indicated that energy metabolism impairment may be involved in pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorders. This work was performed to determine creatine kinase and mitochondrial respiratory chain activities at different times after the maintenance electroconvulsive shock (ECS). Methods: Male Wistar rats received a protocol mimicking therapeutic of maintenance or simulated ECS (sham) and were subsequently sacrificed immediately after, 48 h and 7 days after the last maintenance ECS. We measured creatine kinase and mitochondrial respiratory chain activities in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cortex, cerebellum and striatum. Results: Our results showed that maintenance ECS alter respiratory chain complexes and creatine kinase activities in the rat brain, but these effects were related to brain area and time after the ECS, in which the animal were killed. Conclusion: Finally, these findings further support the hypothesis that alteration on the energy metabolism could be involved in the therapeutic or adverse effects of ECS. Significant Outcomes• Maintenance electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on energy metabolism. • ECS altered respiratory chain complexes activity. • ECS altered creatine kinase activity. • The alterations on energy metabolism were related to brain area and time after the ECS. LimitationsThe alterations on energy metabolism did not changes in energy metabolism were not similar, sometimes increased and sometimes decreased the creatine kinase and respiratory chain activities in the rat brain.