Open AccessINCREASE IN RAT BRAIN TYROSINE HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY PRODUCED BY ELECTROCONVULSIVE SHOCK
Author(s) -
José M. Musacchio,
L Julou,
Seymour S. Kety,
J. Głowiński
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.63.4.1117
Subject(s) - tyrosine hydroxylase , norepinephrine , electroconvulsive shock , medicine , tyrosine , endocrinology , brainstem , chemistry , shock (circulatory) , dopamine , striatum , enzyme assay , cerebral cortex , enzyme , biology , biochemistry
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.