Protective effect of dexamethasone on enhancement of blood-brain barrier permeability caused by electroconvulsive shock.

Penetration of Evans blue from the brain blood vessel into the brain tissue was increased by electroconvulsive shock (ECS), indicating the enhancement of the bloodbrain barrier (BBB) permeability. The staining with Evans blue was most prominent in the thalamus. The enhancement was scarcely observed 60 min after ECS, suggesting that the effect is of a temporary nature. Dexamethasone could protect BBB from its enhancement caused by ECS.