Early Growth Response 3 유전자와 양극성 장애 간 유전연합 연구

장문영,안용민,김용식,김세현,Jang, Moonyoung,Ahn, Yong Min,Kim, Yong Sik,Kim, Se Hyun 대한생물정신의학회 2022 생물정신의학 Vol.29 No.2

Objectives The early growth response 3 (EGR3) gene located in chromosome 8p21.3 is one of the susceptibility loci in many psychiatric disorders. EGR3 gene plays critical roles in signal transduction in the brain, which is involved in neuronal plasticity, neuronal development, learning, memory, and circadian rhythms. Recent studies have suggested EGR3 as a potential susceptibility gene for bipolar disorder (BPD). However, this requires further replication with an independent sample set. Methods To investigate the genetic role of EGR3 in Korean patients, we genotyped six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the chromosome region of EGR3 in 1076 Korean BPD patients and 773 healthy control subjects. Results Among the six examined SNPs of EGR3 (rs17088531, rs1996147, rs3750192, rs35201266, rs7009708, rs1008949), SNP rs35201266, rs7009708, rs1008949 showed a significant association with BPD (p = 0.0041 for rs35201266 and BPD2, p = 0.0074 for rs1008949 and BPD, p = 0.0052 for rs1008949 and BPD1), which withstand multiple testing correction. In addition, the 'G-C-C-C' and 'G-C-G-C' haplotypes of EGR3 were overrepresented in the patients with BPD (p = 0.0055, < 0.0001, respectively) and the 'G-T-G-C' haplotype of EGR3 was underrepresented in patients with BPD (p = 0.0040). Conclusions In summary, our study supports the association of EGR3 with BPD in Korean population sample, and EGR3 could be suggested as a compelling susceptibility gene in BPD.

자살 위험성 및 자살 시도 방지에 대한 전기경련치료의 역할

김희철,정성훈,안용민,박승현,김용식,정인원,Kim, Hee Cheol,Jeong, Seong Hoon,Ahn, Yong Min,Park, Seung Hyun,Kim, Yong Sik,Chung, In Won 대한생물정신의학회 2020 생물정신의학 Vol.27 No.2

Suicidality is the most serious complication of mood disorders and psychosis; effective treatment should reduce suicide rates. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development age-standardized suicide rate in Korea was 22.6 in 2018, much higher compared to other countries worldwide. As mental and psychiatric problems are the main reasons for suicide attempts, accounting for 31.6% in 2018, targeting such problems should be the focus of efforts to reduce suicide rates. However, the ability of current pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic interventions to reduce suicide rates is limited due to their delayed effects. Therefore, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been proposed as an alternative treatment. This approach is effective for treating most mental disorders associated with high suicide rates, including severe depression, bipolar disorder, and intractable psychotic disorders; ECT is also effective for Parkinson's disease, which has the highest suicide rate among all disorders in Korea. The acute, long-term, and prophylactic effects of ECT on suicidality have been reported in the literature, and treatment guidelines outside of Korea recommend that ECT be used at an early stage for rapid reduction of suicide rates, as opposed to being applied as a treatment of last resort. However, only ~0.092 of every 10000 members of the Korean general population received ECT in 2018; this is much lower than the average rate worldwide, of 2.2 per 10000. Elimination of obstacles to the use of ECT, early crisis intervention involving administration of ECT for rapid stabilization, and maintenance ECT to prevent recurrence should reduce suicide rates.

기분장애 환자에서 마음챙김에 기초한 인지치료에 따른 우울 증상과 다섯 가지 마음챙김 요소와의 관계

김남우,김혜영,조성준,안용민,Kim, Namwoo,Kim, Hyeyoung,Cho, Sung Joon,Ahn, Yong Min 대한생물정신의학회 2017 생물정신의학 Vol.24 No.4

Objectives We aimed to examine whether mindfulness skills are mediating the improvements of depressive symptoms in patients with mood disorders who practiced Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Methods A total of 19 patients with mood disorder were included in this study. The participants were divided into two subgroups: a normal to mild depression group and a moderate depression group. The participants completed questionnaires to assess depressive symptoms, anxiety, quality of life, suicidal idea, and mindfulness skills which were measured by the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) before and after MBCT course. Results The moderate depression group showed improvements through MBCT in depressive symptoms and suicidal idea, but not in anxiety and quality of life. The normal to mild depression group showed no significant change through MBCT. The improvement of depressive symptoms in the moderate depression group was predictable by improvements of the five facets of mindfulness, especially by 'observe' and 'non-react' components. Conclusions This study showed that currently depressive patients with moderate severity but not with normal to mild severity benefit from MBCT in reducing depressive symptoms and suicidal idea. The improvement of depressive symptoms was mediated by improved mindfulness skills through MBCT.

정신과 의사와 비정신과 의사의 항우울제 처방에 대한 연구 : 건강보험심사평가원 청구 데이터 중심으로

김민지,김남우,신다운,이상진,박형근,김혜영,양보람,안용민,Kim, Min Ji,Kim, Namwoo,Shin, Daun,Rhee, Sang Jin,Park, C. Hyung Keun,Kim, Hyeyoung,Yang, Boram,Ahn, Yong Min 대한생물정신의학회 2019 생물정신의학 Vol.26 No.2

Antidepressants are widely used to treat depression in Korea, however, only a few studies have focused on the provider of the treatment. The aim of the study is to compare the differences between patients who were prescribed antidepressants by psychiatrists and those who were prescribed antidepressants by non-psychiatrists in South Korea. Patients with a diagnosis of depressive disorder who had been newly prescribed antidepressants in 2012 were selected from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. They were classified into two groups depending on whether they received the antidepressant prescription from a psychiatrist or non-psychiatrist. Sociodemographic, clinical, and depression related cost has been investigated. Treatment resistant depression, which is defined as a failure of two antidepressant regimens to alleviate symptoms, was also investigated. Prescription adequacy was assessed based on whether a regimen was maintained for at least 4 weeks. Among the 834694 patients with pharmaceutically treated depression (PTD) examined in this study, 326122 (39.1%) were treated by psychiatrists. Patients who were treated by psychiatrists were younger and had more psychiatric comorbidities than those treated by non-psychiatrists. They had longer PTD duration (229.3 days vs. 103.0 days, p < 0.05) and a larger proportion of treatment resistant depression (9.3% of PTD) when compared to those patients treated by non-psychiatrists. The patients treated by psychiatrists had a smaller proportion of inadequate antidepressant use compared to those patients in the non-psychiatrist group (44.5% vs. 65.1%, p < 0.05). The costs related to depression corrected with PTD duration were higher in the non-psychiatrist group (32214 won vs. 56001 won, p < 0.05). Patients who receive antidepressants from psychiatrists are patients with more severe, treatment-resistant depression. Psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants more adequately and cost- effectively than non-psychiatrists.

비정형 항정신병약물 복용 중인 과체중 환자에서 체중 감량을 위한 행동수정요법의 개발 - 예비연구 -

신홍범,박종호,차보석,김병수,이숙경,김학령,김용식,안용민,강웅구,Shin, Hong Beom,Park, Jong Ho,Cha, Bo Seok,Kim, Byung Soo,Lee, Suk Kyung,Kim, Hak Lyung,Kim, Yong Sik,Ahn, Young Min,Kang, Ung Gu 대한생물정신의학회 2003 생물정신의학 Vol.10 No.2

Objects:The authors devebped a behavioral modification program for oveweight outpatients with schi-zophrenia and bipolar disorder will had teen treated with atypical antipsychotics, and evaluated the applicability of this program to outpatients Methods:Two men and nine women who had been treated with atypical antipsychotics and will had gained at least 5 percent of their pre-treatment body weight for 10 weeks, attended a behavioral modification program. The patients' weight, body mass index and the diet-activity scale were assessed and were compared with those of a matched comparison group will dd not attend the behavioral modification program Results:The body weight of patients who attended the behavioral modification program reduced with statistical significance, The treatment group showed significant improvement in diet-related items but not in activity-related items of the diet-activity scale Conclusions:This study suggested the applicability of a eehavioral mcdification program on weight reduction to overweight patients taking atypical antipsychotics for the frrst time in Korea Additional large scale studies are needed to validate the effectiveness of this program.

정신분열병 환자에서 가족력, 산과적 합병증 및 신체미세기형의 관련성에 관한 연구

안용민,김용식,정희연,신지용,윤세창,배안,이중서,주은정,이창인 大韓神經精神醫學會 1999 신경정신의학 Vol.38 No.2

연구목적 : 저자들은 태생기 동안에 받는 유전외적 요인, 즉 환경적 요인이 산발성 정신분열병 환자들의 발병에 크게 관여할 것이라고 가정하였다. 이를 검증하기 위하여 형제 중 1인 이상이 발병하여 가족력을 분명히 알 수 있는 정신분열병 환자군(이하 형제 환자군)과 가족력이 없는 산발성 정신분열병 환자군(이하 산발성 환자군) 및 정상대조군을 대상으로 산과적 합병증, 신체미세기형 및 정신분열병의 임상 양상을 비교하였다. 방 법 : 연구 대상은 형제 환자군 43명(남 22명, 여 21명), 산발성 환자군 43명(남 23명, 여 20명), 정상대조군 43명(남 20명, 여 23명)이었다. 산과적 합병증은 Lewis 척도를 이용하여 평가하였고 신체미세기형은 Waldrop 척도를 이용하여 측정하였다. 임상 양상으로서 발병 연령, 병전 기능 수준, 정신병리, 약물에 대한 반응, 회복시의 전반적 기능 수준, 지연성 운동장애의 유무를 평가하였다. 결 과 : 정상대조군과 정신분열병 환자군 전체를 비교하였을 때 산과적 합병증과 신체미세기형의 총점과 각 소항목의 점수에 차이가 없었다. 산발성 환자군과 형제 환자군을 비교하였을 때 산과적 합병증의 전체 점수에서는 유의한 차이가 없었으나, 출생 당시에 태아가 받은 스트레스 항목의 점수가 산발성 환자군에서 유의하게 높았다. 신체미세기형에서는 전체 점수 및 입의 미세기형 점수가 산발성 환자군에서 유의하게 높았다. 신체미세기형의 전체 점수가 4점 이상인 환자수도 산발성 환자군에서 높은 경향성을 보였다. 산과적 합병증과 신체미세기형 사이의 상호 연관성은 찾을 수 없었다. 정신분열병의 임상 양상 중에서는 Krawiecka 척도의 총점 및 양성 증상 점수와 회복시의 전반적 기능 수준만이 형제 환자군에 비해 산발성 환자군에서 유의하게 높았다. 성별에 따라서는 형제 환자군에서 남자 환자의 산과적 합병증이 유의하게 높았다. 결 론 : 본 연구를 통해 산과적 합병증 및 신체미세기형 연구가 정신분열병의 원인을 규명하기 위한 유용한 방법임이 시사되었지만, 가족력, 산과적 합병증 및 신체미세기형의 관련성에 대해서는 분명한 결론을 내리지 못하였다. The authors hypothesized that sporadic schizophrenic patients had more chances of receiving environmental insults during the fetal neural development compared with familial schizophrenics. We tested our hypothesis by comparing obstetric complications(OCs), minor physical anomalies(MPAs) and other clinical features, and examining the correlation between OCs and MPAs in schizophrenic patients who had one or more sibling with schizophrenia(sibling group) and sporadic schizophrenics(sporadic group) and normal controls. OCs were evaluated by the scale of Lewis, and MPAs were measured by the Waldrop scale. There were no significant difference in OCs and MPAs between schizophrenic and control groups. Sporadic group had significantly higher fetal distress, total Waldrop score and Waldrop score for mouth than sibling group. And there was a tendency that the number of subjects having the Waldrop score over 4 points was greater in the sporadic group. No significant correlation was observed between CCs and MPAs. The scores of initial psychopathology and post-treatment functioning were much higher in the sporadic group, but the other clinical feature showed no difference. Although male patients had more OCs than female patients in sibling group, no sex difference were observed as a whole. Our results suggest that, if the methodological weakness were complemented, OCs and MPAs would be useful tools in the search for the cause of schizophrenia.

항정신병약물 사용 중인 정신분열병 환자에서 올란자판으로의 교체 방법에 관한 연구(II) : Comparison of Safety 안전성 비교

안용민,권용실,권준수,민성호,박두병,양문정,소형석,송종호,신윤식,우행원,유범희,이홍석,정한용,한창환,김용식 大韓神經精神醫學會 2002 신경정신의학 Vol.41 No.5

연구목적: 이 다기관 공동임상연구는 사용 중인 항정신병약물을 ’직접 교체 방법’또는 ’시작-감량 교체 방법’중 한 가지 방법으로 올란자핀으로 교체한 후, 안정성 측면에서 두 교체 방법 간의 비교와 교체후의 변화를 관찰하기 위한 것이다. 방법: 국내 13개 병원의 입원 및 외래에 내원한 환자들 중 ICD-10 지단기준으로 정신분열병에 해당되며, 임상적으로 항정신병약물 교체가 필요한 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 두 가지 교체 방법 중 한 가지를 무작위로 피험자에 적용하였으며, ’직접 교체 방법’에 배정된 경우에는 사용중인 항정신병약물을 일시에 중단하고 10㎎의 올란자핀을 바로 투여하였고, ’시작-감량 교체 방법’에 배정된 경우는 10㎎의 올란자핀 투여하고 2주에 걸쳐서 기존 약물을 감량하여 중단하였다. 올란자핀 사용기간은 총 6주이며, 용량은 5∼20㎎ 범위로 제한하였다. 한정성 평가를 위해서 체중, 생명징후, 자발적인 이상반응 복, 실험실 검사 그리고 Simpson-Angus Scale(SAS), Barnes akathisia rating scale(BARS), Abnormal involuntary movement scale(AIMS). Liverpool University neuroleptic side effect rating scale(LUNSERS)등을 이용하였다. 결과: 총 103명의 정신분열병 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 사용한 올란자핀의 용량, 벤조디아제핀의 병용률, 탈락률과 탈락 사유, 자발적인 이상반응 보고, 생명징후, 실험실 검사 그리고 대부분의 부작용 척도 상에서 임상적으로 의미 있는 차이를 두 교체 방법간에 발견하지 못하였다. 다만 AIMS의 감소는 ’직접 교체 방법’군에서 보다 적었고, 항콜린제의 병용률은 ’시작-감량 교체 방법’군에서 보다 많았다. 기저 상태에서 전체 피험자의 SAS와 BARS 점수는 각각 3.5점과 1.8점이었으며 70% 이상의 피험자가 고프로락틴 혈증을 보였다. 올란자핀으로 교체한 후, SAS, BARS, AIMS 점수의 유의한 감소가 있었으며 고프로락틴 혈증을 보인 피험자 분율도 약 30%이하로 감소하였다. 그러나 교체 방법과 상관없이 올란자핀 교체 후 유의한 체중 증가가 있었다. 결론: 이 연구를 통해 교체 방법에 관계없이 비교적 안전하고 용이하게 올란자핀으로 교체 할 수 있음을 알 수 있었다. 그리고 기존 항정신병약물을 올란자핀으로 교체함으로써 일부 부작용들을 줄일 수 있음을 간접적으로 관찰할 수 있었다. 하지만 이 연구는 여러 제한점과 문제점을 지니고 있기 때문에 보다 체계적인 연구를 통해 검정이 필요하리라 생각된다. Objectives: This multicenter clinical trial involving 13 hospital sites compared the safely of switching to olanzapine between ’direct switching method’ and ’start-tapering switching method’. Method: This study included both inpatients and outpatients who fulfilled the criteria for schizophrenia as defined in the ICD-10, and were in need to be appropriate for switching antipsychotics. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two switching methods. For ’direct switching method’group, previous antipsychotics were abruptly discontinued and 10㎎ of olanzapine was administered, and previous antipsychotics was gradually tapered for 2 weeks. Olanzapine was used for 6 weeks and the dose was adjusted within the range of 5-20㎎. The safety of switching to olanzapine was measured with vital sings including body weight, adverse events reported spontaneously, laboratory tests, and various scales such as Simpson-Angus Scale(SAS), Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale(BARS). Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale(AIMS), and Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale(LUNSERS). Results: 103 patients were switched to olanzapine in this study. The comparison between two switching methods did not show any significant difference in the dosage of olanzapine used, the concomitant use of benzodiazepine, the rate and reasons of drop-out, the adverse events, vital signs, laboratory tests, and most scales for measuring side-effects. However, the decrease in AIMS scores was significantly lower in ’direct switching method’ group, and the concomitant use of anticholinergics was comparatively greater in ’start-tapering switching method’ group. At baseline, SAS and BARS scores were 3.5 and 1.8 points respectively, and more than 70% of the subjects showed hyperprolactinemia. After switching to olanzapine, SAS, BARS, and AIMS scores were significantly decreased and the proportion of the patients with hyperprolactinemia was also decreased to less than 30%. However significant weight gain after the treatment of olanzapine was observed regardless of switching method. Conclusion: This study may suggest that switching to olanzapine can be done with relatively high safety regardless of switching methods and olanzapine can significantly decrease some side-effects induced by other antipsychotics.

정신분열병 및 정신분열형 장애에 대한 올란자핀의 효과와 안전성

안용민,강대엽,권준수,김창윤,김철응,반건호,신영민,이기철,이동우,이중서,조현상,채정호,김용식 大韓神經精神醫學會 2001 신경정신의학 Vol.40 No.4

연구목적 : 본 다기관 공동임상연구는 국내 환자를 대상으로 새로운 항정신병약물인 올라자핀의 치료 효과와 안전성을 확인하고자 시행되었다. 방 법 : 1999년 7월부터 2000년 3월까지 국내 10개 병원에 방문한 정신분열병 및 정신분열형 장애 105명을 대상으로 비대조 개방 임상연구를 시행하였다. 중등도 이상의 정신병 증상을 지니거나, 부작용으로 약물교체가 필요한 경우 또는 기분장애 증상의 치료가 필요한 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 2∼7일간의 약물 배설기간 후에 1일 10mg의 올란자핀을 투여하였고, 이후로 3∼7일 간격으로 용량을 조절하여 총 8주간 투여하였다. 치료 효과는 PANSS(Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), BPRS(Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale), CGI(Clinical Global Impression-Severity), MADRS(Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale), HAM-A(Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety)로 판정하였다. 안전성 평가는 자발적인 이상반응 보고, 활력징후와 혈액 검사 및 SAS(Simpson-Angus Scale), BARS(Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale), AIMS(Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale)척도를 이용하였다. 결 과 : 105명중에서 85.7%인 90명이 8주간의 치료를 완료하였다. 평균 최빈 용량은 일일 16.1(±4.7)mg이었고, 종료시점에서의 BPRS전체 점수가 기저 상태에 비해 40%이상 감소된 반응군은 69.5%이었다. PANSS의 양성 증후군과 일반정신병리 뿐만 아니라 음성 증후군 소척도에서도 유의한 감소를 보였으며, 이 감소들은 치료 초기부터 나타나서 8주간 지속되었다. 43.8%의 피험자가 중등도 이상의 우울증상을 같이 지니고 있었으며, 올란자핀에 의해 MADRS와 HAM-A가 유의하게 감소하였다. 치료 기간 동안에 활력징후에는 뚜렷한 변화가 없었으나 체중은 8주간 지속적으로 증가하였다. SAS와 AIMS는 감소하였으며, 정좌불능증을 제외한 나머지 추체외로 증상의 발생비율도 낮았다. 임상적인 증상이나 징후를 동반하지 않는 ALT/SGPT의 상승을 보였지만 프로락틴을 포함하는 대부분의 혈액 검사상 뚜렷한 이상 변화는 없었다. 결 론 ; 비록 본 임상연구가 비대조 개방 임상연구로서 많은 제한점을 가지고 있지만, 올란자핀이 기존 약물에 내약성을 보이거나 기분증상을 동반하는 정신병에 치료 효과가 있었다. 그리고 기존 항정신병약물 치료시에 문제가 되었던 추체외로 증상과 고프르로락틴 혈증을 포함하는 대부분의 부작용면에서 안전성을 보여 주었다. Objective : This multicenter clinical trial was carried out to investigate the efficacy and the safety of olanzpine for the treatment of Korean patients. Mothod : 105 patients with schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder, visited at 10 mental or university hospitals, had received an open and non-comparative treatment with olanzapine for 8 weeks. Patients had psychotic or depressive symptoms with the severity above moderate degree or intolerable side effects to previous antipsychotics. After a wash-out period of 2-7 days, 10mg olanzapine was prescribed initially to all the patients, and then the dosage could be adjusted within the range of 5-20mg/day of olanzapine by 3-7 days. Results : 90(85.7%) of 105 patients completed the 8-weeks trial and the mean modal dose of olanzapine was 16.1(±4.7%)mg/day. At the end of the trial, 73 patients(69.5%) were classified as responder, which was defined as 40% or more improvement in BPRS(Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) score comparing to baseline. There was a significant reduction in the scores of PANSS(Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale)and subscales including negative symptom scores and CGI. Also weekly analysis showed that the reductions in scores were kept on for the whole period of the trial. 43.8% of all the patients had depressive symptoms at the baseline and total scores of MADRS(Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale) and HAM-A(Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety) were also reduced after the trials. Vital signs revealed no clinically significant changes but continuous weight gain was observed during the treatment with olanzapine. The scores of SAS(Simpson-Angus Scale) and AIMS(Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale) for assessing the EPS(extrapyramidal symptoms)and tardive dyskinesia respectively were significantly decreased and only a few patients reported EPS as adverse events. Although mild and clinically non-significant of ALT/SGPT was observed, most laboratory parameters including plasma prolactin level showed to significant changes during the trial. Conclusions : Although this trial had many limitations because it was a non-comparative and open study, olanzapine showed high efficacy on the positive, negative and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder.In addition to that, olanzapine showed a substantially favorable safety profile, such as low incidence of EPS and hyperprolactinemia.

정신분열병의 결핍증후군과 비결핍증후군

안용민 대한정신분열병학회 2000 정신분열병 클리닉 Vol.2 No.-

흰쥐 뇌에서 전기경련 충격에 의한 CREB 인산화의 발달단계에 따른 변화

강웅구,정희연,안용민,정선주,전송희,박주배,조수철,김용식 大韓神經精神醫學會 1999 신경정신의학 Vol.38 No.3

연구목적 : 이 논문에서는 뇌에서 전기경련 충격(Electroconvulsive shock. ECS)에 의한 전사인자 CREB의 인산화를 발달단계에 따라 알아봄으로써 정신장애의 신경발달학적 이해를 위한 생물학적 기반지식을 얻고자 하였다. 방 법 : 생후 7. 14. 21일 및 성년 흰쥐에 ECS를 가하고 시간별로 해마 및 소뇌 조직을 얻어 CREB의 인산화를 알아보기 위해 특이 항체로 면역블롯을 실시하였다. 결 과 : 발달단계에 따라 해마에서는 CREB이 감소한 반면 소뇌에서는 CREB이 증가하였다. 기저상태의 CREB 인산화는 해마와 소뇌에서 생후 7일에 비해 14일 이후 증가하였는데, 소뇌의 경우 CREB의 양증가와 비례하였다. ECS 후 CREB인산화 증가는 해마에서는 생후 21일 이후에 나타났으나, 소뇌에서는 생후 7일은 물론 성년에서도 나타나지 않았다. 결 론 : CREB 매개 신호전달은 발달단계별 및 조직별 활성의 차이를 나타내었으며 해마에서는 생후 21일 이후 ECS에 의해 활성화되었지만, 소뇌에서는 그렇지 않았다. 해마에서 ECS에 의한 CREB 인산화 증가는 c-fos 유전자의 발현과 관계있으리라고 생각되지만, CREB의 Ser-133 인산화 만으로는 발달단계 및 조직에 따른 c-fos 발현의 특이성을 설명할 수 없었다. Objectives : In order to understand the biological basis of neurodevelopmental perspectives of mental disorders, the authors investigated the developmental and regional changes in the phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB following the electroconvulsive shock(ECS) in rat brain. Methods : Rats of various age groups(7, 14, 21 days postnatal and adults) were given ECS and their hippocampi and cerebella were dissected at specified time points. The content of CREB and phosphorylated CREB were measured by immunoblot analysis. Results : The amount of CREB increased in the hippocampus and decreased in the cerebellum according to the age. Baseline levels of CREB phosphorylation in both tissues were increased from postnatal 14 days, and it was proportional to the amount of CREB protein in the cerebellum. In the hippocampus, ECS increased the phosphorylation of CREB at postnatal 21 days, but in the cerebellum, ECS did not increased the phosphorylation of CREB in any age group. Conclusion : CREB mediated signal transduction pathways showed developmental and tissue-specific changes. ECS increased the phosphorylation of CREB in the hippocampus by postnatal 21 days, but not in the cerebellum. CREB activation is supposed to be related with the induction of c-fos after ECS in the hippocampus. However, the Ser-133 phosphorylation of CREB could not completely explain the developmental and tissue specificity of c-fos induction.