Elucidation of therapeutic efficacy mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy from the view point of activated glia

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K09830
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Shimane University
• Principal Investigator: HASHIOKA SADAYUKI 島根大学, 医学部, 講師 (00622523)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 津森 登志子 県立広島大学, 保健福祉学部(三原キャンパス), 教授 (30217377)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 電気けいれん療法 / ミクログリア / アストロサイト / Gunnラット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is regarded as one of the efficient treatments for intractable psychiatric disorders, the mechanism of therapeutic action remains unclear. Gunn rats showed schizophrenia-like behavior and depressive-like behavior. In their hippocampus, we found both microgliosis and astrogliosis. Electroconvulsive shock (ECS), the animal model of ECT, ameliorated schizophrenia-like behavior and depressive-like behavior of Gunn rats and attenuated microgliosis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus of Gunn rats. Accordingly, therapeutic effects of ECT may be exerted, at least in part, by inhibition of glial activation.

Free Research Field

精神科学