Increase in Rat Brain Tyrosine Hydroxylase Activity Produced by Electroconvulsive Shock
Abstract
A sustained increase in the turnover of norepinephrine coupled with an increased concentration of that amine has, in a previous study, been observed in the brains of rats exposed to electroconvulsive shock twice daily for one week. The phenomenon has been further examined by studying the effects of a similar regimen of electroconvulsive shock upon tyrosine hydroxylase in the brain, since that enzyme appears to be rate-limiting in norepinephrine synthesis. A small (15%) but significant increase in the whole brain enzyme activity was found in the electroshock-treated animals. A significant increase of tyrosine hydroxylase activity was found in the brainstem (24%) and cortex (20%) of such animals.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- August 1969
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.63.4.1117
- Bibcode:
- 1969PNAS...63.1117M