TY - JOUR
T1 - Chronic electroconvulsive stimulation but not chronic restraint stress modulates mRNA expression of voltage-dependent potassium channels Kv7.2 and Kv11.1 in the rat piriform cortex.
AU - Hjæresen, Marie-Louise
AU - Hageman, Ida
AU - Wörtwein, Gitta
AU - Plenge, Per
AU - Jørgensen, Martin Balslev
AU - Wörtwein, Gitta
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - The mechanisms by which stress and electroconvulsive therapy exert opposite effects on the course of major depression are not known. Potential candidates might include the voltage-dependent potassium channels. Potassium channels play an important role in maintaining the resting membrane potential and controlling neuronal excitability. To explore this hypothesis, we examined the effects of one or several electroconvulsive stimulations and chronic restraint stress (6 h/day for 21 days) on the expression of voltage-dependent potassium channel Kv7.2, Kv11.1, and Kv11.3 mRNA in the rat brain using in situ hybridization. Repeated, but not acute, electroconvulsive stimulation increased Kv7.2 and Kv11.1 mRNA levels in the piriform cortex. In contrast, restraint stress had no significant effect on mRNA expression of Kv7.2, Kv11.1, or Kv11.3 in any of the brain regions examined. Thus, it appears that the investigated voltage-dependent potassium channels are not modulated by restraint stress at the level of mRNA expression. However, our findings suggest that repeated electroconvulsive stimulation alter Kv7.2 and Kv11.1 function in the piriform cortex, a finding with potential relevance for the chain of neurobiological events underlying the clinical effects of ECT.
AB - The mechanisms by which stress and electroconvulsive therapy exert opposite effects on the course of major depression are not known. Potential candidates might include the voltage-dependent potassium channels. Potassium channels play an important role in maintaining the resting membrane potential and controlling neuronal excitability. To explore this hypothesis, we examined the effects of one or several electroconvulsive stimulations and chronic restraint stress (6 h/day for 21 days) on the expression of voltage-dependent potassium channel Kv7.2, Kv11.1, and Kv11.3 mRNA in the rat brain using in situ hybridization. Repeated, but not acute, electroconvulsive stimulation increased Kv7.2 and Kv11.1 mRNA levels in the piriform cortex. In contrast, restraint stress had no significant effect on mRNA expression of Kv7.2, Kv11.1, or Kv11.3 in any of the brain regions examined. Thus, it appears that the investigated voltage-dependent potassium channels are not modulated by restraint stress at the level of mRNA expression. However, our findings suggest that repeated electroconvulsive stimulation alter Kv7.2 and Kv11.1 function in the piriform cortex, a finding with potential relevance for the chain of neurobiological events underlying the clinical effects of ECT.
U2 - 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.09.071
DO - 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.09.071
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 18511019
VL - 1217C
SP - 179
EP - 184
JO - Brain Research
JF - Brain Research
SN - 0006-8993
ER -