Cognitive and emotional effects of electroconvulsive shock in rats.

Abstract

This report is based on a dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Stanford University. The investigation was aided by a grant to Prof. Calvin P. Stone from the Scottish Rite Fund for research on the behavioral effects of electro-convulsive shocks on laboratory animals, and was conducted during the author's tenure of a National Research Council predoctoral fellowship. 40This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.

The permanence of effect of a series of electroconvulsive seizures on openfield behavior.

“…Our findings of relatively long-enduring changes in emotional behavior after administration of a series of ECS agrees with the observations of some authors (1, 6, 9, 10) and is at variance with observations made by others (2,3,4,7). Page (6), for example, observed that his convulsed animals were more passive, inactive, and submissive, showed little mixing behavior in the spontaneous activity of controls, and exhibited no competitive behavior for food and water.…”

The permanence of effect of a series of electroconvulsive seizures on openfield behavior.

“…Our findings of relatively long-enduring changes in emotional behavior after administration of a series of ECS agrees with the observations of some authors (1, 6, 9, 10) and is at variance with observations made by others (2,3,4,7). Page (6), for example, observed that his convulsed animals were more passive, inactive, and submissive, showed little mixing behavior in the spontaneous activity of controls, and exhibited no competitive behavior for food and water.…”

An effect of electroconvulsive shock on a conditioned avoidance response.

“…If the assumption is made that a CAR is mediated by fear, the data presented here are superficially consistent with the hypothesis that, EC'S attenuated the CAR through a reduction in fear. However, the convulsed animals in the present study regularly showed exaggerated startle responses, persistent struggling to escape, and greatly increased attack behavior toward each other and toward R. A similar increase in apparent emotionality has been reported by other investigators (3,7). Such behavior docs not seem to be consistent with a statement that fear was reduced by ECS.…”

The Effect of Different Periods of Electrocon-Vulsive Shock on Spatial Learning

“……”

The permanence of effect of a series of electroconvulsive seizures on openfield behavior.

“…Our findings of relatively long-enduring changes in emotional behavior after administration of a series of ECS agrees with the observations of some authors (1, 6, 9, 10) and is at variance with observations made by others (2,3,4,7). Page (6), for example, observed that his convulsed animals were more passive, inactive, and submissive, showed little mixing behavior in the spontaneous activity of controls, and exhibited no competitive behavior for food and water.…”

An effect of electroconvulsive shock on a conditioned avoidance response.

“…If the assumption is made that a CAR is mediated by fear, the data presented here are superficially consistent with the hypothesis that, EC'S attenuated the CAR through a reduction in fear. However, the convulsed animals in the present study regularly showed exaggerated startle responses, persistent struggling to escape, and greatly increased attack behavior toward each other and toward R. A similar increase in apparent emotionality has been reported by other investigators (3,7). Such behavior docs not seem to be consistent with a statement that fear was reduced by ECS.…”

The Effect of Different Periods of Electrocon-Vulsive Shock on Spatial Learning

“……”

The permanence of effect of a series of electroconvulsive seizures on openfield behavior.

“…Our findings of relatively long-enduring changes in emotional behavior after administration of a series of ECS agrees with the observations of some authors (1, 6, 9, 10) and is at variance with observations made by others (2,3,4,7). Page (6), for example, observed that his convulsed animals were more passive, inactive, and submissive, showed little mixing behavior in the spontaneous activity of controls, and exhibited no competitive behavior for food and water.…”

An effect of electroconvulsive shock on a conditioned avoidance response.

“…If the assumption is made that a CAR is mediated by fear, the data presented here are superficially consistent with the hypothesis that, EC'S attenuated the CAR through a reduction in fear. However, the convulsed animals in the present study regularly showed exaggerated startle responses, persistent struggling to escape, and greatly increased attack behavior toward each other and toward R. A similar increase in apparent emotionality has been reported by other investigators (3,7). Such behavior docs not seem to be consistent with a statement that fear was reduced by ECS.…”

The Effect of Different Periods of Electrocon-Vulsive Shock on Spatial Learning

“……”