Unaltered neuronal and glial counts in animal models of magnetic seizure therapy and electroconvulsive therapy

Abstract

Background Anatomical evidence of brain damage from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is lacking, but there are no modern stereological studies in primates documenting its safety. Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is under development as a less invasive form of convulsive therapy, and there is only one prior report on its anatomical effects. We discerned no histological lesions in the brains of higher mammals subjected to electroconvulsive shock (ECS) or MST, under conditions that model closely those used in humans. We sought to extend these findings by determining whether these interventions affected the number of neurons or glia in the frontal cortex or hippocampus. Methods Twenty-four animals received 6 weeks of ECS, MST, or anesthesia alone, 4 days per week. After perfusion fixation, numbers of neurons and glia in frontal cortex and hippocampus were determined by unbiased stereological methods. Results We found no effect of either intervention on volumes or total number or numerical density of neurons or glia in hippocampus, frontal cortex, or subregions of these structures. Conclusions Induction of seizures in a rigorous model of human ECT and MST therapy does not cause a change in the number of neurons or glia in potentially vulnerable regions of brain. This study, while limited to young, healthy, adult subjects, provides further evidence that ECT and MST, when appropriately applied, do not cause structural damage to the brain.

Electroconvulsive shock attenuated microgliosis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus and ameliorated schizophrenia-like behavior of Gunn rat

“…Indeed, the majority of ECS studies on normal animals has shown that ECS has no effect on the activation/proliferation of microglia and astrocytes [34, 35] or even increases the glial activation/proliferation [38, 39]. Only one study has reported that ECS reduces the density of microglial process in the murine hippocampus [37] and one other has shown that ECS inhibits GFAP expression in the rat hippocampus [33].…”

A systematic review of the neurocognitive effects of magnetic seizure therapy

“…Dwork et al (2004, 2009) performed two studies that explored histological changes in neurons and glia following ECT, MST or sham therapy. Subjects ( Macaca mulatta ) underwent procedures that were based on clinical treatment paradigms.…”

“…The second study (Dwork et al, 2009) employed the same research conditions in 24 subjects who received MST, ECT or anaesthesia alone for 4 days a week over a 6-week period. The study found no effect of condition on neuronal or glial counts, densities, or volumes.…”

Elektrokonvulsiv terapi ute av kontroll?

“…Sju andre kvantitative studier på rotte viste intet nevrontap, og én viste økt antall kornceller og volum av hippocampus. I nye studier på rhesusaper med modifisert elektrokonvulsiv behandling, som hos mennesker, fant man ingen endring i volum eller celletall, men økning av prekursorcelleproliferasjon og et nevrobeskyttende genprodukt (9).…”