Uncoupling of Anaerobic Glucose Metabolism and Oxidative Phosphorylation following Acute Electroconvulsive Shock in Mice Brain

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment for drug-resistant depression. However, the impact of ECT on neurotransmitter pathways is not clear. The cerebral metabolic rates were measured post ECS in mice using 1H-[13C]-NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with intravenous [1,6-13C2]glucose infusion. The concentrations of lactate, alanine, GABA, and choline were increased in the prefrontal cortex post 3.5 min of ECS. The concentrations of alanine-C3 and lactate-C3 increased after 3.5 min of ECS. In contrast, glutamatergic and GABAergic neurometabolic activity was reduced 3.5 min post ECT, and restored in an hour. These data indicate the dominance of glycolysis in the post-ictal period.